Definitions

Zhèng (noun) ancient Chinese state during Warring States period
zhèng (adjective) serious; solemn

Etymology

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

About

The character 郑, with its traditional form 鄭, originated as a toponym for the state of Zheng during the Zhou dynasty, and its construction integrates the radical 阝, derived from 邑 meaning settlement, with the component 奠 serving as a phonetic element that also implies founding or setting up, thus reflecting its initial geographic designation. Over time, the character's usage extended beyond its original reference to become a common surname within Chinese culture, while also acquiring adjectival functions in compounds such as 郑重, where it conveys a sense of solemnity or earnestness. The simplified form 郑 retains the radical 阝 but substitutes the original phonetic with 关, altering the graphical structure while preserving the character's core meanings associated with both lineage and descriptive nuance.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 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)
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)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的老师是先生。

Wǒ de lǎoshī shì Zhèng xiānsheng.

My teacher is Mr. Zheng.

州是河南省的省会。

Zhèngzhōu shì Hénán shěng de shěnghuì.

Zhengzhou is the capital of Henan Province.

重地宣布了消息。

Tā zhèngzhòng de xuānbù le xiāoxi.

He solemnly announced the news.

我必须重地告诉你这件事。

Wǒ bìxū zhèngzhòng de gàosu nǐ zhè jiàn shì.

I must tell you this matter seriously.

国是春秋时期的一个诸侯国。

Zhèngguó shì Chūnqiū shíqī de yī gè zhūhóuguó.

Zheng was a vassal state during the Spring and Autumn period.

尽管他姓,但他不是河南人。

Jǐnguǎn tā xìng Zhèng, dàn tā bù shì Hénán rén.

Although his surname is Zheng, he is not from Henan.

在重要场合,他说话总是很重。

Zài zhòngyào chǎnghé, tā shuōhuà zǒng shì hěn zhèngzhòng.

On important occasions, he always speaks very solemnly.

如果你计划去州出差,记得提前订好酒店。

Rúguǒ nǐ jìhuà qù Zhèngzhōu chūchāi, jìde tíqián dìng hǎo jiǔdiàn.

If you plan to go to Zhengzhou on a business trip, remember to book a hotel in advance.