称赞 (chēng zàn) — to praise; to commend

Definition

称赞 (chēng zàn) is a written/formal verb meaning 'to praise, commend' — more elevated than 表扬 (everyday) and more sincere than 恭维 (flattery).

verb

to praiseto commend

称赞。
Tā de nǔ lì dé dào le lǎo bǎn de chēng zàn.
His hard work was praised by the boss.
称赞。
Lǎo shī cháng cháng chēng zàn xué shēng men jìn bù hěn kuài.
The teacher often praises the students for improving quickly.
称赞。
Dà jiā dōu chēng zàn tā zuò de hǎo.
Everyone praised him for doing well.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

称 = speak of, 赞 = praise; together: to praise.

Characters in this word

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 稱; 称 is its simplified writing.

禾爯稱

Meaning part形符xíngfú

禾禾hérice

Sound part声符shēngfú

爯

爯chēng稱chēng

Same sound today

The traditional form 稱 pairs 禾 (rice) with 爯, a part giving the sound; it is explained as measuring rice. The simplified 称 is a later shorthand.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 贊; 赞 is its simplified writing.

The simplified 赞 stands for more than one traditional character. In most words (称赞, 赞赏) it is 讚; in others (赞成, 赞同) it is 贊.

This note is about the traditional form 贊. It pairs 㚘 with 貝 (money) for helping with money; the simplified 赞 is a shorthand.

Appears in