Definitions

zhuān (noun) brick

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "砖", denoting brick, derives from its traditional form "磚", a phono-semantic construct where the radical "石" indicates its association with stone-like materials and the component "專" serves primarily to suggest pronunciation. This structural composition has long anchored the character's meaning to hardened, fired clay or similar masonry units used in construction, a referent that has remained stable over time. The simplified form substituted the phonetic element with "专", yet retained the foundational semantic connection to stone, reflecting an adjustment in written form without altering the core concept of a manufactured building block. Thus, the character's etymology and evolution highlight its enduring functional identity as an artificial stone, with graphical changes streamlining its representation while maintaining its essential meaning.

Example Sentences Hide

这是一块红

Zhè shì yī kuài hóng zhuān.

This is a red brick.

工人正在砌

Gōngrén zhèngzài qì zhuān.

The worker is laying bricks.

墙上贴满了瓷

Qiáng shàng tiē mǎn le cízhuān.

The wall is covered with ceramic tiles.

他用头盖房子。

Tā yòng zhuāntou gài fángzi.

He uses bricks to build a house.

院子里堆着很多块。

Yuànzi lǐ duī zhe hěnduō zhuānkuài.

There are many bricks piled in the yard.

下雨的时候,路非常滑。

Xià yǔ de shíhou, zhuān lù fēicháng huá.

When it rains, brick roads are very slippery.

因为墙坚固,所以很安全。

Yīnwèi zhuān qiáng jiāngù, suǒyǐ hěn ānquán.

Because the brick wall is sturdy, it is very safe.

这座古老的桥经历了百年风雨。

Zhè zuò gǔlǎo de zhuān qiáo jīnglì le bǎinián fēngyǔ.

This ancient brick bridge has experienced a hundred years of wind and rain.