Definitions

zhàng (noun) measure of length (10 Chinese feet, ~3.3m)
zhàng (noun) husband
zhàng (noun) respectful term for older man

Etymology

Depicts 10 () hand-lengths (): (~3 meters) is a traditional Chinese unit of length equal to 10 (~0.3 meters). The current use of as "husband" is a phonetic loan.

About

The character 丈 (zhàng) is an ideogram. Its modern form is composed of 十 (shí, ten) intersected by the diagonal stroke 丿 (piě). Its earliest forms depicted a hand holding a measuring rod, reflecting its original meaning as a traditional Chinese unit of length equal to ten chi (Chinese feet). This unit was used for measuring land or fabric. Due to the cultural association of measuring rods with male authority, 丈 also became a respectful term for an elder man or a husband.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
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Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
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Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
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Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

夫在做饭。

Zhàngfu zài zuò fàn.

Husband is cooking.

我的夫是医生。

Wǒ de zhàngfu shì yīshēng.

My husband is a doctor.

我去看望人。

Wǒ qù kànwàng zhàngrén.

I go to visit my father-in-law.

工人正在量土地。

Gōngrén zhèngzài zhàngliáng tǔdì.

Workers are measuring the land.

在寺庙里修行。

Fāngzhàng zài sìmiào lǐ xiūxíng.

The abbot is practicing asceticism in the temple.

这条绳子长三

Zhè tiáo shéngzi cháng sān zhàng.

This rope is three zhang long.

量工作必须精确。

Zhàngliáng gōngzuò bìxū jīngquè.

Measurement work must be accurate.

那位方的教诲深入人心。

Nà wèi fāngzhàng de jiàohuì shēnrù rénxīn.

That abbot's teachings are deeply rooted in people's hearts.