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March 24, 2026
珍zhēn(zhen1)
The character 珍 (zhēn) means 'precious' or 'treasure' and is used to describe something that is highly valued or rare. It can refer to physical items like jewels or gourmet food, as well as abstract concepts like cherished memories or relationships.
Strokes9Radical王Frequency#5827DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture,珍 is often associated with the concept of valuing relationships and experiences as treasures, reflecting a deep-seated belief in cherishing the people and moments that enrich one's life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sparkling jewel resting on a velvet cushion, representing its value and rarity. The character 珍 looks like a 'gem' (the radical 王) encased in a 'house' (the radical 目), symbolizing something precious stored safely.
Meanings of 珍
zhēn(zhen1)
1precious thing
2treasure
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 珍
珍Simplified
9Strokes
王Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#5827Frequency Rank
Podcast: 珍
Podcast: 珍
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AI Study Notes for 珍
Quick Contrast
珍 (zhēn) vs 贵 (guì) — choose 珍 for items that are rare or treasured, while 贵 emphasizes high monetary value.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sparkling jewel resting on a velvet cushion, representing its value and rarity. The character 珍 looks like a 'gem' (the radical 王) encased in a 'house' (the radical 目), symbolizing something precious stored safely.
Usage Notes
珍 is often used in formal contexts when referring to valuable objects or sentiments. Common collocations include 珍贵 (precious) and 珍品 (treasure item). Be careful with pronunciation, as the tone is critical in conveying the correct meaning.
HSK Study Tips
While 珍 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects well with other words expressing value (like 贵, guì) and can enhance your vocabulary related to appreciation and rarity. Focus on its usage in both tangible and intangible contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture,珍 is often associated with the concept of valuing relationships and experiences as treasures, reflecting a deep-seated belief in cherishing the people and moments that enrich one's life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 珍 with similar-sounding words like 真 (zhēn), meaning 'real.' For example, saying '这是真的珍贵' (This is really precious) incorrectly mixes the meanings; the correct form is '这是真的' (This is real) followed by '珍贵的' (precious).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 珍
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Grammar Patterns of 珍
珍 carries 7 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Janet and Harry have put up the shutters. I see, it must be seven o'clock.
9
乔治不知道简[珍妮]住在那条街上的哪栋房子里,因此他就东一家西一户漫无目的地按门铃.
qiáo zhì bù zhī dào jiǎn[ [ zhēn] nī ] zhù zài nà tiáo jiē shàng de nǎ dòng fáng, zǐ lǐ , yīn cǐ tā jiù dōng yī jiā xī yī hù màn wú mù de dì.
George didn't know which house on the street was Jane's so he began ringing doorbells hit or miss.
10
那些珍贵的书籍都放在图书馆东馆的架子上.
nà xiē zhēn guì de shū jí dū fàng zài tú shū guǎn dōng guǎn de jià zǐ shàng.
Those rare books are shelved in the East Library.
Cultural Notes for 珍
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture,珍 is often associated with the concept of valuing relationships and experiences as treasures, reflecting a deep-seated belief in cherishing the people and moments that enrich one's life.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While Western cultures may emphasize material wealth, in Chinese culture, the value of relationships and shared experiences is often seen as more precious than physical treasures.
Word Family of 珍
Words Containing This Character14
珍惜zhēnxīto treasure
珍贵zhēnguìprecious珍貴
珍zhēntreasure
珍珠zhēnzhūpearl
珍藏zhēncángcollection
珍爱to cherish珍愛
珍宝a treasure珍寶
珍品curio
珍稀zhēnxīrare
珍视zhēnshìto treasure珍視
珍珠港Pearl Harbor (Hawaii)
袖珍xiùzhēnpocket-sized
珍重zhēnzhòngprecious
如数家珍fig. to be very familiar with a matter如數家珍
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 珍惜 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 珍
珍 (zhēn) appears in various Chinese idioms, often conveying the idea of valuing something highly. For instance, 珍惜 (zhēnxī) means 'to cherish', emphasizing the importance of appreciating rare and valuable things in life. Using it in idioms can enrich your language skills.
Some synonyms for 珍 (zhēn) include 贵重 (guìzhòng), which means 'valuable', and 宝贵 (bǎoguì), meaning 'precious' or 'valuable'. These terms can be used interchangeably depending on the context.
You can use 珍 (zhēn) in a sentence to convey value or rarity. For example, 珍珠 (zhēnzhū) means 'pearl', and you can say '这是一颗珍珠' (Zhè shì yī kē zhēnzhū), meaning 'This is a pearl'. It highlights the precious nature of the item being discussed.
珍 (zhēn) means 'precious' or 'valuable' in Chinese. It is often used to describe rare items or treasures, and can also refer to culinary delicacies that are highly valued. In different contexts, it can imply something that is cherished or esteemed.
You can say '这是一件珍贵的艺术品' (This is a precious piece of art) to illustrate its value.
珍 emphasizes the rarity and sentimental value, while 贵 often refers to monetary worth.
Yes, but it's more commonly used in formal contexts or literary language.
