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辰 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
chén5th earthly branch: 7-9 a.m., 3rd solar month (5th April-4th May), year of the Dragonng, 7 strokes, radical 辰, rank #25529, Hard
chénearly morning; fortune, good luck; 5th terrestrial branchng, 7 strokes, radical 辰, rank #25529, Hard
chénancient Chinese compass point: 120°unknown, 7 strokes, radical 辰, rank #25529, Hard
chén(chen2) T2
  1. 15th earthly branch: 7-9 a.m., 3rd solar month (5th April-4th May), year of the Dragon
  2. 2early morning; fortune, good luck; 5th terrestrial branch
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March 24, 2026
chén(chen2)

The character 辰 (chén) primarily represents the 5th earthly branch in the Chinese zodiac, which corresponds to the year of the Dragon and the time period from 7 to 9 a.m. It is also associated with the third solar month, indicating a specific time in the lunar calendar. Additionally, 辰 can imply fortune or good luck in various contexts.

Strokes7RadicalFrequency#25529DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the Dragon is a powerful symbol of strength and good fortune, making the 辰 year particularly auspicious for many. Traditional celebrations often align with the lunar calendar's significance of this character.

Memory Tip

Think of 辰 as a dragon (the symbol of good fortune) rising in the early morning light, representing the time frame of 7 to 9 a.m. The character's left component resembles a dragon's tail, while the right side suggests the sun rising, signifying the dawn of good luck.

Meanings of 辰

chén(chen2)
15th earthly branch: 7-9 a.m., 3rd solar month (5th April-4th May), year of the Dragon
2early morning; fortune, good luck; 5th terrestrial branch
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 辰

Simplified
7Strokes
Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#25529Frequency Rank

Podcast: 辰

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AI Study Notes for 辰

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 辰 as a dragon (the symbol of good fortune) rising in the early morning light, representing the time frame of 7 to 9 a.m. The character's left component resembles a dragon's tail, while the right side suggests the sun rising, signifying the dawn of good luck.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 辰 with other earthly branches due to similar pronunciations. It's typically used in more formal contexts related to astrology and timekeeping. Be cautious with tones; the correct pronunciation is 'chén' with a rising tone.

HSK Study Tips

Although 辰 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to words related to time and astrology, which are useful for learners at higher levels. Focus on pronunciation and the context in which 辰 is used to deepen understanding.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the Dragon is a powerful symbol of strength and good fortune, making the 辰 year particularly auspicious for many. Traditional celebrations often align with the lunar calendar's significance of this character.

Common Mistakes

Learners often write 辰 incorrectly by mixing it up with other characters, such as 巳 (sì). A common mistake is using 辰 when referring to the time period of noon instead of the correct period of early morning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 辰

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Etymology of 辰

Explanation

Pictograph of an ancient farming tool.

Learn more about character formation (六书)
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 辰?

Decomposition of 辰

IDS Structure⿸厂⿱二?
Full Character
=
chang3
enclosing
er4
top
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 辰?

Write 辰

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 辰

辰 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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

在昨日星____客栈,我总有种宾至如归的感觉。

I always feel at home at Ye Olde Starre Inn.

Example Sentences for 辰 (4)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
在昨日星辰客栈,我总有种宾至如归的感觉。

zài zuó rì xīng chén kè zhàn, , wǒ zǒng yǒu zhǒng bīn zhì rú guī de gǎn。

I always feel at home at Ye Olde Starre Inn.
2
他在离95岁寿辰仅差两天时去世了。

tā zài lí95 95 suì shòu chén jǐn chà liǎng tiān shí qù shì。

He died two days shy of his 95th birthday.
3
我不饿, 闭上的眼睛, 转圈, 诞辰欢愉, 哎呦.

wǒ bù è, , bì shàng de yǎn, jīng ,, zhuǎn quān , dàn, chén huān.

To learn ; I'm not hungry, close your eyes, round, happy birthday, ouch.
4
埃米莉?狄更生给人的感觉是:生不逢辰,超越时代了.

āi mǐ lì? ? dí gēng shēng gěi rén de gǎn jué: shì : shēng bù, féng chén , chāo yuè.

Emily Dickinson gives the sense of having come before her time.

Cultural Notes for 辰

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the Dragon is a powerful symbol of strength and good fortune, making the 辰 year particularly auspicious for many. Traditional celebrations often align with the lunar calendar's significance of this character.

Word Family of 辰

Compounds35
pai4clique
zhen4to shake
chen2morning
ru3disgrace
zhen4to shake
chun2lip
shen1pregnant
pai4used in transliterations
shen4clam; sea serpent
zhen4to relieve, to aid; rich
chen2imperial palace
mo4to gaze; to look at, to ogle
mai4a pulse; arteries, veins; blood vessels
chun2lips
zhen4to relieve, to aid; rich
nong2agriculture, farming; farmer
Words Containing This Character20
chénancient Chinese compass point: 120°
时辰time時辰
星辰stars
诞辰dànchénbirthday誕辰
生辰birthday
良辰美景fine time, beautiful scenery (idiom); everything lovely
忌辰anniversary of a death
壬辰twenty-ninth year I5 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 2012 or 2072
寿辰birthday (of an old person)壽辰
庚辰seventeenth year G5 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 2000 or 2060
北辰区Beichen suburban district of Tianjin municipality 天津市[Tiān​jīn​shì]北辰區
甲辰41st year A5 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1964 or 2024
辰光sunlight
戊辰fifth year E5 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1988 or 2048
丙辰fifty-third year C5 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1976 or 2036
辰星see also 水星[shuǐ​xīng]
辰时7-9 am (in the system of two-hour subdivisions used in former times)辰時
良辰吉日fine time, lucky day (idiom); fig. good opportunity
辰溪Chenxi county in Huaihua 懷化|怀化[Huái​huà], Hunan
辰溪县Chenxi county in Huaihua 懷化|怀化[Huái​huà], Hunan辰溪縣
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 派 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 辰

辰 represents the Dragon, which is the fifth earthly branch and is associated with strength and good luck.