(chuàng) — to create; to found; to set (a record); to achieve (a milestone)

Definition

创 (chuàng) is the bare verb form, typically paired in compounds like 创立 or 创办 ('to found/establish'). Use 创造 for creating something new; 创 on its own emphasizes founding or setting a record.

verb
to createto foundto set (a record)to achieve (a milestone)

Examples

  • Gōng sī chuàng lì le yí gè xīn de bù mén.
    The company established a new department.
  • Tā chuàng xià le mǎ lā sōng de shì jiè jì lù.
    He set a world record in the marathon.
  • Tā men chéng gōng chuàng bàn le zhè suǒ xué xiào.
    They successfully founded this school.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 創; 创 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
dāoknife
Sound part声符shēngfú
cāngchuàng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 創 pairs 倉 with 刀 (knife) to write 'wound', and 倉 gives the pronunciation. The simplified 创 is a later shorthand.

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