Definitions

zhuàn (verb) to compose; to compile

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "撰" is structured with the hand radical "扌" on the left and the component "巽" on the right, where "巽" primarily functions as a phonetic element but also carries connotations of handling or arrangement. Etymologically, its earliest uses involved concrete actions such as holding, gathering, or selecting items, which over time extended into the realm of organizing and composing written works. This evolution in meaning shifted from physical manipulation to the intellectual activity of authoring texts, including writing, editing, and compiling, thereby cementing its association with deliberate literary production and scholarly composition.

Etymology Hide

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

写了这本书。

Tā zhuànxiě le zhè běn shū.

He wrote this book.

姐姐正在写论文。

Jiějie zhèngzài zhuànxiě lùnwén.

My sister is writing a thesis.

这位作家写了多部小说。

Zhè wèi zuòjiā zhuànxiě le duō bù xiǎoshuō.

This writer has written multiple novels.

他负责写的章节很精彩。

Tā fùzé zhuànxiě de zhāngjié hěn jīngcǎi.

The chapter he is responsible for writing is very exciting.

写历史书籍需要大量研究。

Zhuànxiě lìshǐ shūjí xūyào dàliàng yánjiū.

Writing history books requires a lot of research.

写的报告获得了高度评价。

Tā zhuànxiě de bàogào huòdé le gāodù píngjià.

The report she wrote received high praise.

写论文时,他参考了许多文献。

Zài zhuànxiě lùnwén shí, tā cānkǎo le xǔduō wénxiàn.

While writing the thesis, he referenced many documents.

这位学者写的学术著作影响深远。

Zhè wèi xuézhě zhuànxiě de xuéshù zhùzuò yǐngxiǎng shēnyuǎn.

The academic works written by this scholar have a profound impact.