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斟 (zhēn) — to pour (tea, wine, etc.) in a careful, often formal manner

Definition

A formal verb for pouring drinks (tea, wine) carefully for guests. Usually appears in 斟茶 and 斟酒, and pairs with adverbs like 亲自 or 满满 to emphasize the careful, deliberate action.

verb
to pour (tea, wine, etc.) in a carefuloften formal manner

Examples

  • 斟。
    Tā gěi kè rén zhēn le yì bēi chá.
    He poured a cup of tea for the guest.
  • 。
    Zhǔ rén qīn zì wèi měi wèi lái bīn zhēn jiǔ.
    The host personally poured wine for each guest.
  • 斟。
    Tā xiǎo xīn yì yì dì zhēn mǎn yì bēi hóng jiǔ.
    He carefully filled a glass of red wine.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
斗斗dòudipper; cup
Sound part声符shēngfú
甚
甚shèn斟zhēn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

斟 combines 斗, a dipper or cup for pouring, with 甚, which gives the sound.

Appears in
Beverages

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