Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
貞 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
貞zhēnvirtuous, chaste, pure; loyalx, 9 strokes, radical 貝
zhēn(zhen1) T1
  1. 1virtuous, chaste, pure; loyal
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

貞zhēn(zhen1)

The character 貞 (zhēn) signifies virtues such as chastity, purity, and loyalty. It is often used in contexts that emphasize moral integrity and steadfastness in relationships, particularly in traditional Chinese culture where these values are highly esteemed.

Strokes9Radical貝
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 貞 is historically significant, especially in the context of women’s roles in society, where chastity and loyalty were highly valued virtues. This character is often associated with historical figures known for their unwavering loyalty and moral integrity.

Memory Tip

Imagine a loyal knight (the meaning of the character) standing firmly on a pedestal marked with the character's components. The '牛' radical suggests strength and firmness, akin to the unwavering nature of a virtuous person.

Meanings of 貞

zhēn(zhen1)
1virtuous, chaste, pure; loyal
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 貞

貞Simplified
9Strokes
貝Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 貞

JasonAmy

Podcast: 貞

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 貞

Quick Contrast

贞 (zhēn) vs 忠 (zhōng) — choose 貞 for purity and chastity in relationships, while 忠 emphasizes loyalty and faithfulness.

Usage Notes

While 貞 is commonly used in formal texts discussing ethics or relationships, it may sound overly archaic in everyday conversation. Be mindful of using it appropriately, as it often collocates with words like '婦女' (women) and '忠誠' (loyalty).

HSK Study Tips

Though 貞 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it shares themes with words related to integrity and character, which are important at higher levels. Focus on understanding its usage in classical texts or discussions about moral values.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 貞 with similar-sounding characters like 真 (zhēn), which means 'true.' For example, saying '我很貞' (Wǒ hěn zhēn) instead of '我很真' (Wǒ hěn zhēn) to express sincerity is incorrect; it should be the latter.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 貞

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 貞 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 貞

Learn more about character formation (六书)

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 貞

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 貞? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.

Decomposition of 貞

IDS Structure⿱⺊貝
貞Full Character
=
⺊—
top
貝bei4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 貞?

How to say virtuous, chaste, pure; loyal in Chinese

“virtuous, chaste, pure; loyal” in Chinese is貞zhēn

The character 貞 (zhēn) signifies virtues such as chastity, purity, and loyalty. It is often used in contexts that emphasize moral integrity and steadfastness in relationships, particularly in traditional Chinese culture where these values are highly esteemed.

When to use 貞

While 貞 is commonly used in formal texts discussing ethics or relationships, it may sound overly archaic in everyday conversation. Be mindful of using it appropriately, as it often collocates with words like '婦女' (women) and '忠誠' (loyalty).

貞 or something close to it

贞 (zhēn) vs 忠 (zhōng) — choose 貞 for purity and chastity in relationships, while 忠 emphasizes loyalty and faithfulness.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 貞 with similar-sounding characters like 真 (zhēn), which means 'true.' For example, saying '我很貞' (Wǒ hěn zhēn) instead of '我很真' (Wǒ hěn zhēn) to express sincerity is incorrect; it should be the latter.

Write 貞

貞

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 貞

Words Containing This Character17
贞zhēnchaste貞
苏贞昌Su Tseng-chang (1947-), Taiwanese DPP politician蘇貞昌
忠贞zhōngzhēnloyal and dependable忠貞
贞操virginity貞操
贞洁chastity貞潔
女贞privet (genus Ligustrum)女貞
童贞virginity童貞
贞德also called Jehanne Darc, the Maid or Orleans, Joan of Arc or St Joan貞德
贞节chastity貞節
坚贞firm堅貞
白素贞(name of a person) Bai Suzhen, from Madame White Snake白素貞
忠贞不渝unswerving in one's loyalty (idiom); faithful and constant忠貞不渝
贞烈ready to die to preserve one's chastity貞烈
坚贞不屈faithful and unchanging (idiom); steadfast堅貞不屈
安贞Antei (Japanese reign name, 1227-1229)安貞
贞丰县Zhenfeng county in Qianxinan Buyei and Miao autonomous prefecture 黔西南州[Qián​xī​nán​zhōu], Guizhou貞豐縣
贞丰Zhenfeng county in Qianxinan Buyei and Miao autonomous prefecture 黔西南州[Qián​xī​nán​zhōu], Guizhou貞豐
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 贞 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 貞

Common phrases include '貞操' (virtue, chastity) and '貞節' (chaste, loyal), often used in literary or formal discussions.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 貞?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.