Definitions

shěn (verb) to examine; to investigate
shěn (verb) to try (in court)
shěn (adjective) careful; thorough

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 审 (shěn) is the simplified form of 審. Its traditional structure is a phono-semantic compound: the 宀 (mián) radical, meaning a roof, sits above 番 (fān), a component originally associated with discerning animal footprints. Together, they conveyed the idea of a careful, indoor examination, often in a legal or official context. In the simplified character, 番 is replaced by 申 (shěn), which provides the phonetic element. The core meaning remains the rigorous scrutiny of evidence, the conduct of legal trials, the questioning of individuals, the evaluation of arguments, or a careful, deliberate appreciation.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Spring and Autumn (~600 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

法官判了这个案件。

Fǎguān shěnpànle zhège ànjiàn.

The judge tried this case.

警察问了那个嫌疑人。

Jǐngchá shěnwènle nàge xiányírén.

The police interrogated that suspect.

我们需要查这些数据。

Wǒmen xūyào shěnchá zhèxiē shùjù.

We need to examine these data.

她的美观很独特。

Tā de shěnměiguān hěn dútè.

Her aesthetic view is very unique.

视着自己的错误。

Tā shěnshìzhe zìjǐ de cuòwù.

He is examining his own mistakes.

查过程必须严格。

Shěnchá guòchéng bìxū yángé.

The examination process must be strict.

法院正在理这起纠纷。

Fǎyuàn zhèngzài shěnlǐ zhè qǐ jiūfēn.

The court is hearing this dispute.

在投资之前,他慎地研究了市场。

Zài tóuzī zhīqián, tā shěnshèn de yánjiūle shìchǎng.

Before investing, he carefully studied the market.