称 (chēng) — to weigh; to state, to claim
Definition
称 (chēng) as a standalone verb has two distinct senses: 'to weigh' (on a scale) and 'to state, to claim.' Compare with 衡量 (to weigh/evaluate factors figuratively) and 声称/宣称/自称 (all 'to claim/assert' in writing or speech).
verb
to weighto stateto claim
Examples
- 称。Qǐng chēng yí xià zhè xiē píng guǒ de zhòng liàng.Please weigh these apples.
- 称。Tā chēng zì jǐ cóng lái méi yǒu qù guò nà lǐ.He claims he has never been there.
- 称。Dà jiā dōu chēng tā yǒu néng lì.Everyone says he has ability.
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.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 稱; 称 is its simplified writing.
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.
Appears in
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