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The character 眞, the traditional form of 真, means true, real, or genuine. Its etymology traces back to a Daoist concept, depicting an immortal or practitioner undergoing transformation and ascending to a higher state. The upper component 匕 suggests change or transformation, placed above 目 (eye), with a lower structure containing 乚 and other strokes representing a foundation or vessel. Together, the components visually convey a person achieving ultimate reality or perfection by shedding falsehoods. From this specific philosophical origin, the character's meaning broadened to become the standard term for anything authentic, genuine, or factually correct in everyday language.
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