unknown, 8 strokes, radical 忄, rank #56143, Very Hard
怔
zhēng
stumped for words
unknown, 8 strokes, radical 忄, rank #56143, Very Hard
怔
zhèng
frightened, startled, terrified
zg, 8 strokes, radical 忄, rank #56143, Very Hard
怔
zhèng
to stare blankly
unknown, 8 strokes, radical 忄, rank #56143, Very Hard
怔
zhèng
stumped for words
unknown, 8 strokes, radical 忄, rank #56143, Very Hard
zhēng(zheng1)
primary
T1
1frightened, startled, terrified
2to stare blankly
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
怔zhēng(zheng1)
The character 怔 (zhēng) conveys a sense of being startled or frightened. It can also describe a state of being stumped for words or staring blankly due to shock or surprise. This word is often used in contexts where someone reacts unexpectedly to a situation.
Strokes8Radical忄Frequency#56143DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of being startled or shocked is often tied to the importance of maintaining composure. Expressing extreme surprise in public can be seen as a loss of face, which adds a layer of social nuance to the use of 怔.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person standing frozen (like a statue) with wide eyes, startled by a sudden noise. The character 怔 combines the heart radical (心) which signifies emotions, and a component that looks like someone staring in shock. This imagery can help you remember both the form and the sound (zhēng) of the character.
Meanings of 怔
zhēng(zheng1)
primary
1frightened, startled, terrified
2to stare blankly
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 怔
怔Simplified
8Strokes
忄Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 怔
Podcast: 怔
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AI Study Notes for 怔
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 怔 with similar-sounding words that indicate fear or shock, as context is crucial. This word is more informal and is often used in everyday conversations. Common collocations include 怔住 (zhēng zhù, to be stunned) and 怔忡 (zhēng chōng, to be startled).
HSK Study Tips
Although 怔 is not included in the HSK levels, it is useful for learners who want to expand their vocabulary related to emotions and reactions. Focus on using it in combinations with other words to express more nuanced feelings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 怔 with 惊 (jīng), which also means startled but is used more broadly. For example, saying '我很惊' instead of '我很怔' (I am very startled) can sound awkward; use '我很怔' to be more specific.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 怔
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Phonosemantic compound. 忄 represents the meaning and 正 represents the sound.
1The meaning half忄 carries the sense.
2The sound half正 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayheart
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 怔? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 怔?
Decomposition of 怔
IDS Structure⿰忄正
怔Full Character
=
忄xin1
left
正zheng1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 怔?
How to say frightened, startled, terrified in Chinese
“frightened, startled, terrified” in Chinese is怔zhēng
The character 怔 (zhēng) conveys a sense of being startled or frightened. It can also describe a state of being stumped for words or staring blankly due to shock or surprise. This word is often used in contexts where someone reacts unexpectedly to a situation.
When to use 怔
Be careful not to confuse 怔 with similar-sounding words that indicate fear or shock, as context is crucial. This word is more informal and is often used in everyday conversations. Common collocations include 怔住 (zhēng zhù, to be stunned) and 怔忡 (zhēng chōng, to be startled).
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 怔 with 惊 (jīng), which also means startled but is used more broadly. For example, saying '我很惊' instead of '我很怔' (I am very startled) can sound awkward; use '我很怔' to be more specific.
Write 怔
怔
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Practice writing 怔 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 怔
怔 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 3
Complete the Sentence
有一会儿，他____怔地注视着周围的景物。
He was lost in the con-templation of the landscape for a while.
Example Sentences for 怔 (3)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
有一会儿，他怔怔地注视着周围的景物。
yǒu yī huì ér， ， tā zhēng zhēng dì zhù shì zháo zhōu wéi de jǐng。
He was lost in the con-templation of the landscape for a while.
She was so striking that I had to avert my somewhat startled eyes.
Cultural Notes for 怔
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
The experience of being startled is universal, but in Western cultures, expressing surprise is often done more openly than in Chinese culture, where restraint is valued.
Word Family of 怔
Words Containing This Character4
怔zhēngstartled
怔怔in a daze
发怔baffled發怔
魔怔crazed
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 怔 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 怔
It is pronounced as zhēng.
You might say, 我看到那个场面，吓得怔住了 (I was so startled that I froze when I saw that scene).
Yes, it can be used in both spoken and written Chinese, particularly in narrative or descriptive contexts.
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