(chéng) — to submit (to a superior); to formally present; to appear; to take on (a form, color, etc.)

Definition

呈 (chéng) is a formal verb for formally presenting a document, request, or report to a superior. Use 递交 for handing in an application, and 呈现 when a scene or quality appears or emerges.

verb
to submit (to a superior)to formally presentto appearto take on (a form, color, etc.)

Examples

  • Yuán gōng xiàng dǒng shì zhǎng chéng le yí fèn jiàn yì shū.
    The employee submitted a proposal to the chairman of the board.
  • Qiū tiān de shù yè chéng jīn huáng sè.
    The autumn leaves take on a golden yellow color.
  • Zhè zuò gǔ jiàn zhù chéng duì chèn bù jú.
    This ancient building has a symmetrical layout.

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
Sound part声符shēngfú
𡈼
𡈼𡈼chéng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

呈 pairs 口 with a lower 𡈼 part: 口 points to the meaning, and 𡈼 gives the sound.

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