振 (zhèn) — to shake; to vibrate; to flap; to brace up; to stimulate; to activate (in compounds like 振作, 振奋)
Definition
Mostly used in compounds rather than alone. By itself it means 'to shake or flap' (a wing, a machine); in compounds like 振作 and 振奋 it shifts to 'to rouse or invigorate.'
verb
to shaketo vibrateto flapto brace upto stimulateto activate (in compounds like 振作, 振奋)
Examples
- 。Jī qì zhèn dòng dé hěn lì hài.The machine is vibrating violently.
- ，振。Tīng le tā de huà, dà jiā jīng shén yí zhèn.Hearing his words, everyone's spirits lifted.
- 振。Niǎo r zhèn chì fēi xiàng tiān kōng.The bird flapped its wings and flew into the sky.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
振 pairs 手 (hand) with 辰: 手 shows it is about a hand action, and 辰 gives the sound.
Appears in
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