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March 24, 2026
朕zhèn(zhen4)
朕 (zhèn) is a first-person pronoun used exclusively by emperors in historical contexts to mean 'I' or 'we.' It conveys a sense of authority and imperial status, distinguishing the speaker from commoners. The term is rarely used in modern language but can be encountered in historical texts and discussions about imperial China.
Strokes10Radical月Frequency#18675DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
朕 reflects the absolute authority of the emperor in traditional Chinese society, symbolizing the divine right to rule. It is often seen in classical literature, poetry, and historical records that discuss the governance of imperial China.
Memory Tip
Think of the character 朕 as an emperor (the two horizontal lines at the top represent the crown of an emperor) speaking from a lofty position. The sound 'zhèn' can be remembered by associating it with 'zen,' suggesting a calm authority, as an emperor would exhibit.
Meanings of 朕
zhèn(zhen4)
1the royal "we", for imperial use
2I
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About 朕
朕Simplified
10Strokes
月Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 朕
Podcast: 朕
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AI Study Notes for 朕
Memory Mnemonic
Think of the character 朕 as an emperor (the two horizontal lines at the top represent the crown of an emperor) speaking from a lofty position. The sound 'zhèn' can be remembered by associating it with 'zen,' suggesting a calm authority, as an emperor would exhibit.
Usage Notes
This term is highly formal and is not used in everyday conversation. Learners often confuse it with the more common '我' (wǒ), which means 'I.' It's important to use 朕 only in the appropriate historical or literary contexts to convey the right tone.
HSK Study Tips
As 朕 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, learners should focus on understanding its historical significance and usage in classical literature. It contrasts with more common pronouns, providing insight into the hierarchical structure of Chinese society.
Cultural Note
朕 reflects the absolute authority of the emperor in traditional Chinese society, symbolizing the divine right to rule. It is often seen in classical literature, poetry, and historical records that discuss the governance of imperial China.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 朕 in everyday contexts, thinking it's a formal way to say 'I.' For example, saying '朕想去商店' (I want to go to the store) is incorrect; instead, use '我想去商店' (I want to go to the store).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 朕
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Originally depicted two hands (廾) holding an object (丨) to patch up a hole in a boat (舟), representing the meaning "seam; crack". Since cracks in bones were used for fortune-telling in ancient China, the meaning shifted later to "omen; sign" and "so
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Cultural Notes for 朕
🏮Cultural insight
朕 reflects the absolute authority of the emperor in traditional Chinese society, symbolizing the divine right to rule. It is often seen in classical literature, poetry, and historical records that discuss the governance of imperial China.
Word Family of 朕
Words Containing This Character1
朕zhènI
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 朕 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 朕
No, 朕 is reserved for historical contexts and should not be used in contemporary speech.
朕 is specifically for emperors and conveys authority, while 我 is the standard first-person pronoun used by everyone.
It is not used in formal settings today; it’s primarily of historical interest.
