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

辰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.

Strokes7Radical辰Frequency#25529DifficultyVery Hard
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

By ear

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About 辰

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

Podcast: 辰

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Podcast: 辰

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AI study notes for 辰

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.

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

Origin

What kind of character is 辰?

Decomposition of 辰

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

Parts

Which of these is part of 辰?

How to say 5th earthly branch: 7-9 a.m., 3rd solar month (5th April-4th May), year of the Dragon in Chinese

“5th earthly branch: 7-9 a.m., 3rd solar month (5th April-4th May), year of the Dragon” in Chinese is辰chén

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.

When to use 辰

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.

What learners get wrong

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.

Write 辰

辰

Practice writing 辰 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

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

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 gǎnjué。

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 suì shòu chén jǐn chà liǎng tiān shí qùshì le。

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 yǎnjing, zhuǎi juān, dànchén huān yú, āi yōu.

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 gèng shēng gěi rén de gǎnjué shì: shēng bù féng chén, chāoyuè shídài le.

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

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Word Family of 辰

Compounds35
派pàiclique
震zhènto shake
晨chénmorning
辱rǔdisgrace
振zhènto shake
唇chúnlip
娠shēnpregnant
哌pàiused in transliterations
蜃shènclam; sea serpent
赈zhènto relieve, to aid; rich
宸chénimperial palace
桭zhēn
眽mòto gaze; to look at, to ogle
脤shèn
侲zhèn
屒zhěn
帪zhēn
挀bāi
敐chén
浱chún
祳shèn
脈màia pulse; arteries, veins; blood vessels
脣chúnlips
莀chén
蜄shèn
衇mài
裖zhěn
誫zhèn
賑zhènto relieve, to aid; rich
農nóngagriculture, farming; farmer
辳nóng
辴chǎn
鋠shèn
陙chún
麎chén
Words containing this character20
辰chénancient Chinese compass point: 120°
时辰shíchentime時辰
星辰xīngchénstars
诞辰dànchénbirthday誕辰
生辰shēngchénbirthday
良辰美景liángchénměijǐngfine time, beautiful scenery (idiom); everything lovely
忌辰jìchénanniversary of a death
壬辰rénchéntwenty-ninth year I5 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 2012 or 2072
寿辰shòuchénbirthday (of an old person)壽辰
庚辰gēngchénseventeenth year G5 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 2000 or 2060
北辰区běichénqūBeichen suburban district of Tianjin municipality 天津市[Tiān​jīn​shì]北辰區
甲辰jiǎchén41st year A5 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1964 or 2024
辰光chénguāngsunlight
戊辰wùchénfifth year E5 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1988 or 2048
丙辰bǐngchénfifty-third year C5 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1976 or 2036
辰星chénxīngsee also 水星[shuǐ​xīng]
辰时chénshí7-9 am (in the system of two-hour subdivisions used in former times)辰時
良辰吉日liángchénjírìfine time, lucky day (idiom); fig. good opportunity
辰溪chénxīChenxi county in Huaihua 懷化|怀化[Huái​huà], Hunan
辰溪县chénxīxiànChenxi county in Huaihua 懷化|怀化[Huái​huà], Hunan辰溪縣
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 辰

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.

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