Definitions

zhuàng (verb) to bump into; to collide with
zhuàng (verb) to meet by accident

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 撞 is structured with the hand radical 扌 on the left and the component 童 on the right, where 童 functions primarily as a phonetic element. Its original meaning concerned striking or pushing with force, often involving manual action, and this core concept of impact persisted as the character's usage expanded. Over time, 撞 acquired additional meanings related to collision, such as in physical bumps or crashes, and further extended into metaphorical realms like unexpected encounters, as seen in the compound 撞见. The character's form has remained consistent, and its semantic range widened through various compounds, incorporating notions from accidental meetings to reckless actions, reflecting an adaptation from concrete physical force to broader applications of sudden contact or chance.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我不小心到了门。

Wǒ bù xiǎoxīn zhuàng dào le mén.

I accidentally bumped into the door.

他不小心翻了桌子上的杯子。

Tā bù xiǎoxīn zhuàng fān le zhuōzi shàng de bēizi.

He accidentally knocked over the cup on the table.

两辆车在路口相了。

Liǎng liàng chē zài lùkǒu xiāng zhuàng le.

Two cars collided at the intersection.

他走路时看手机,结果到了电线杆。

Tā zǒulù shí kàn shǒujī, jiéguǒ zhuàng dào le diànxiàngān.

He was looking at his phone while walking and ended up hitting a utility pole.

他的观点和我的观点相了。

Tā de guāndiǎn hé wǒ de guāndiǎn xiāng zhuàng le.

His viewpoint clashed with mine.

见他们在秘密开会。

Tā zhuàng jiàn tāmen zài mìmì kāihuì.

She came across them having a secret meeting.

这名运动员在冲中受了重伤。

Zhè míng yùndòngyuán zài chōngzhuàng zhōng shòu le zhòng shāng.

This athlete was seriously injured in the collision.

经调查,肇事司机是醉酒后的人。

Jīng diàochá, zhàoshì sījī shì zuìjiǔ hòu zhuàng de rén.

The investigation revealed that the driver at fault hit the person while drunk.