Definitions

zhǎn (verb) to spread out; to open up; to display
zhǎn (verb,noun) to exhibit; exhibition
zhǎn (verb) to develop; to unfold

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and 𧝑 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "roll over". The meaning later shifted to "unfold", "spread out", and "develop".

About

The character 展 features the radical 尸 (shī), which originally depicted a person in a seated or reclining posture rather than its later association with a corpse. The lower components relate to clothing or the act of rolling. Its core meaning centers on the physical action of stretching out, unfolding, or rolling open, such as a person extending their body or unfurling a garment. From this concrete notion of opening what was folded or concealed, the character developed broader applications. Its primary modern sense thus encompasses spreading out, extending, expanding, opening up possibilities, and publicly displaying items.

Etymology Hide

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)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个览很精彩。

Zhège zhǎnlǎn hěn jīngcǎi.

This exhibition is wonderful.

示了新作品。

Tā zhǎnshì le xīn zuòpǐn.

He displayed new works.

经济发很快。

Jīngjì fāzhǎn hěn kuài.

Economic development is fast.

开地图看看。

Zhǎnkāi dìtú kànkan.

Unfold the map and look.

这幅画现了美丽风景。

Zhè fú huà zhǎnxiàn le měilì fēngjǐng.

This painting displays beautiful scenery.

通过览,我们了解了历史。

Tōngguò zhǎnlǎn, wǒmen liǎojiě le lìshǐ.

Through the exhibition, we learned about history.

望未来,我们充满信心。

Zhǎnwàng wèilái, wǒmen chōngmǎn xìnxīn.

Looking forward to the future, we are full of confidence.

市场需要策略。

Tuòzhǎn shìchǎng xūyào cèlüè.

Expanding the market requires strategy.