Definitions

chén (noun) 5th earthly branch: 7-9 a.m.
chén (noun) 3rd solar month (April-May)
chén (noun) year of the Dragon

Etymology

Pictograph of an ancient farming tool. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

The character 辰, which has maintained its form without a simplified counterpart, originally depicted a shell or stone tool used in agricultural work, and this concrete meaning is reflected in its early association with cultivation. Over time, its application shifted from the tool itself to the time for its use, leading to its primary abstract meanings related to time and celestial cycles. In this capacity, it came to denote the morning hours, specifically the period from 7 to 9 AM, and was adopted as the fifth of the twelve Earthly Branches, a core component of the traditional calendrical system. This astronomical function further extended its use to represent the zodiacal sign of the dragon. Structurally, the modern character is analyzed as consisting of two components: the 厂 element, which can suggest a cliff or shelter, and a more complex right-hand component whose contemporary form is no longer a direct pictorial representation of its original referent.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

夜晚星很美丽。

Yèwǎn xīngchén hěn měilì.

The stars at night are very beautiful.

这个时很适合散步。

Zhège shíchén hěn shìhé sànbù.

This time is very suitable for walking.

光流逝得很快。

Chénguāng liúshì de hěn kuài.

Time passes very quickly.

他生于时,所以取名带

Tā shēng yú chénshí, suǒyǐ qǔmíng dài chén.

He was born during the hour of the dragon, so his name includes the character Chen.

时的阳光温暖而明亮。

Chénshí de yángguāng wēnnuǎn ér míngliàng.

The sunlight during the hour of the dragon is warm and bright.

仰望星,他感到无比宁静。

Yǎngwàng xīngchén, tā gǎndào wúbǐ níngjìng.

Gazing at the stars, he felt extremely peaceful.

龙是十二生肖之一。

Chén lóng shì shí'èr shēngxiào zhī yī.

The Dragon is one of the twelve zodiac animals.

每当时,他都会准时起床锻炼。

Měi dāng chénshí, tā dōu huì zhǔnshí qǐchuáng duànliàn.

Every day during the hour of the dragon, he always gets up on time to exercise.