(zhāng) — (classifier) for chapters of a book, sections of a document, or clauses of a law; (classifier) for movements of a symphony

Definition

章 (zhāng) counts chapters of a book, clauses of a law, or movements of a symphony. Compare 段 (text/time sections) and 节 (lessons, train cars) — 章 is for the larger, more formal divisions.

classifier
for chapters of a booksections of a documentor clauses of a lawfor movements of a symphony

Examples

  • Zhè běn shū yǒu shí èr zhāng.
    This book has twelve chapters.
  • Fǎ lǜ dì yī zhāng guī dìng le gōng mín de quán lì.
    The first chapter of the law stipulates citizens' rights.
  • Jiāo xiǎng yuè dì sān zhāng hěn hǎo tīng.
    The third movement of the symphony sounds great.

Origin

Compound ideograph
六书liùshū
会意huìyì

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

章 shows a chisel piercing a piece of jade in the middle. It originally meant treating jade.

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