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March 24, 2026
斟zhēn(zhen1)
The character 斟 (zhēn) primarily means 'to pour', particularly in the context of beverages like wine or tea. It can also imply the act of deliberating or gauging a situation carefully before making a decision, reflecting a sense of thoughtfulness. This dual meaning makes it versatile in both social and formal contexts.
Strokes13Radical斗Frequency#20569DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of 斟 tea or wine is not just about serving a drink; it symbolizes respect and hospitality. The careful pouring reflects the importance of relationships and the art of conversation during gatherings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a waiter carefully pouring wine from a bottle (the character's components suggest precision). The top part, 斜 (xié), resembles a bottle tilted to pour, while the bottom part indicates a thoughtful person weighing options. Picture the waiter deliberating on how much wine to pour, connecting the act of pouring with the careful consideration involved.
Meanings of 斟
zhēn(zhen1)
1to pour
2to deliberate
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 斟
斟Simplified
13Strokes
斗Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#20569Frequency Rank
Podcast: 斟
Podcast: 斟
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AI Study Notes for 斟
Quick Contrast
斟 (zhēn) vs 倒 (dǎo) — use 斟 when emphasizing careful pouring, particularly of drinks, while 倒 is more general for pouring or tipping something out.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a waiter carefully pouring wine from a bottle (the character's components suggest precision). The top part, 斜 (xié), resembles a bottle tilted to pour, while the bottom part indicates a thoughtful person weighing options. Picture the waiter deliberating on how much wine to pour, connecting the act of pouring with the careful consideration involved.
Usage Notes
斟 is often used in formal contexts, especially in tea ceremonies or wine tastings. A common mistake is using it casually outside of these contexts, as it may sound overly formal. Learners should also be mindful of the tone, ensuring they pronounce it with a high flat tone (zhēn) to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
While 斟 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it connects with HSK Level 4 words related to actions and social interactions. Students should focus on its nuances in pouring and deliberation to better understand its usage in conversations about decision-making or hospitality.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of 斟 tea or wine is not just about serving a drink; it symbolizes respect and hospitality. The careful pouring reflects the importance of relationships and the art of conversation during gatherings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 斟 with simpler verbs like 倒 (dào), which also means 'to pour' but is more casual. For instance, saying '我想倒酒' (I want to pour wine) is correct, but using 斟 might sound too formal in a casual setting.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 斟
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Grammar Patterns of 斟
斟 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
她讲话时____酌再三，说得非常慢。
She spoke very slowly, weighing what she would say.
Example Sentences for 斟 (9)
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1
她讲话时斟酌再三，说得非常慢。
tā jiǎng huà shí zhēn zhuó zài sān， ， shuō dé fēi cháng。
She spoke very slowly, weighing what she would say.
He said the words very slowly, as if weighing each one of them.
4
你的杯子是空的, 让我给你斟满.
nǐ de bēi zǐ shì kōng de, , ràng wǒ gěi nǐ zhēn.
Your glass is empty; let me top you up.
5
我再次斟满了我们的酒杯。
wǒ zài cì zhēn mǎn le wǒ mén de jiǔ bēi。
I refilled our wine glasses.
6
两只斟满的酒杯
liǎng zhī zhēn mǎn de jiǔ bēi
two wine glasses, filled to the brim
7
迈克尔给老头子斟了些茵香酒,给汤姆-黑根斟了些苏格兰威士忌.
mài kè ěr gěi lǎo tóu zǐ zhēn le xiē yīn xiāng jiǔ, , gěi tāng- mǔ - hēi gēn zhēn le xiē sū gé lán wēi.
Michael served some anisette to the Don and scotch to Tom Hagen.
8
鲁帕特接过他递过来的杯子,斟满大半杯,又送了过去.
lǔ pà tè jiē guò tā dì guò lái de bēi zǐ, , zhēn mǎn dà bàn, bēi , yòu sòng le.
He handed the cup up to Rupert who three quarters filled it and reached it down.
9
觉民拨起酒瓶的木塞,给众人斟了酒.
jué mín bō qǐ jiǔ píng de mù sāi, , gěi zhòng rén zhēn le.
Chueh - min pulled the cork from the bottle and poured the wine.
Cultural Notes for 斟
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of 斟 tea or wine is not just about serving a drink; it symbolizes respect and hospitality. The careful pouring reflects the importance of relationships and the art of conversation during gatherings.
Word Family of 斟
Words Containing This Character4
斟zhēnto pour
斟酌zhēnzhuóto consider
字斟句酌weighing every word
斟酒to pour wine or liquor
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 斟 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 斟
It's commonly used in formal settings like tea ceremonies, wine tastings, or when discussing careful deliberation.
No, it is generally considered a formal term, so it's best used in respectful contexts.
