Definitions

zhèn (noun) irrigation ditch; drainage channel

Etymology

A furrow cut in the earth  by a stream  also provides the pronunciation

About

The character "圳" is structurally formed from the components "土" meaning earth and "川" meaning river, which together illustrate the concept of a man-made water channel excavated in the soil, originally referring to irrigation ditches or field trenches in agricultural contexts. Its etymology reflects a direct link to agrarian practices where such features were vital for directing water across cultivated land. While the core meaning of an artificial watercourse has remained consistent, the character's usage has gradually shifted over centuries, moving from a common noun describing farming infrastructure to becoming primarily associated with toponyms, where it serves as a fixed element in place names often indicating areas defined by these hydraulic formations. The character's written form has retained this composition without major alteration, and its semantic journey underscores a transition from functional vocabulary to geographical designation.

Example Sentences Hide

是一个大城市。

Shēnzhèn shì yī gè dà chéngshì.

Shenzhen is a big city.

我去过深两次。

Wǒ qù guò Shēnzhèn liǎng cì.

I have been to Shenzhen twice.

的天气很暖和。

Shēnzhèn de tiānqì hěn nuǎnhuo.

The weather in Shenzhen is very warm.

他在深工作了很多年。

Tā zài Shēnzhèn gōngzuò le hěn duō nián.

He has worked in Shenzhen for many years.

这条水灌溉着附近的农田。

Zhè tiáo shuǐzhèn guàngài zhe fùjìn de nóngtián.

This irrigation ditch waters the nearby farmland.

村民们合力挖了一条新水

Cūnmínmen hélì wā le yī tiáo xīn shuǐzhèn.

The villagers worked together to dig a new irrigation ditch.

的发展速度令人惊叹。

Shēnzhèn de fāzhǎn sùdù lìng rén jīngtàn.

The development speed of Shenzhen is astonishing.

由于水堵塞,农田缺水严重。

Yóuyú shuǐzhèn dǔsè, nóngtián quē shuǐ yánzhòng.

Due to the blockage of the irrigation ditch, the farmland is severely short of water.