Definitions

chéng variant of 澄[chéng]
chéng surname Cheng
chéng clear; limpid; to clarify; to purify
dèng (of liquid) to settle; to become clear

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 澄 is a phono-semantic compound consisting of the water radical 氵 and the phonetic component 登, which historically provided a sound clue. Its earliest recorded meanings focus on the physical state of water being clear or settled, directly tied to its semantic element. Over time, the character's usage expanded beyond describing literal transparency to include abstract applications, such as denoting mental clarity or the act of making something clear, exemplified in compounds like 澄清. The structure of the character has remained consistent, with the water radical continuously indicating its association with liquid states and the component 登 serving as its phonetic marker.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

今天的天空很净。

Jīntiān de tiānkōng hěn chéngjìng.

Today's sky is very clear.

清了误会。

Tā chéngqīng le wùhuì.

He clarified the misunderstanding.

湖水在月光下显得澈。

Hú shuǐ zài yuèguāng xià xiǎndé chéngchè.

The lake water appears clear under the moonlight.

经过沉淀,水变得清。

Jīngguò chéndiàn, shuǐ biàn de chéngqīng.

After sedimentation, the water becomes clear.

她的话清了所有的疑虑。

Tā de huà chéngqīng le suǒyǒu de yílǜ.

Her words clarified all doubts.

净的湖水倒映着蓝天。

Chéngjìng de hú shuǐ dàoyìng zhe lán tiān.

The clear lake water reflects the blue sky.

清事实之前,他保持沉默。

Zài chéngqīng shìshí zhīqián, tā bǎochí chénmò.

Before clarifying the facts, he remained silent.

通过多次实验,他终于清了这种化学反应的机理。

Tōngguò duōcì shíyàn, tā zhōngyú chéngqīng le zhè zhǒng huàxué fǎnyìng de jīlǐ.

Through multiple experiments, he finally clarified the mechanism of this chemical reaction.