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March 24, 2026
镇(鎮)zhèn(zhen4)
The character 镇 (zhèn) primarily means 'to calm' or 'to suppress,' often used in contexts related to controlling situations or emotions. It can also refer to a 'small town' or a 'garrison,' emphasizing a place of safety or stability. In culinary contexts, it can denote the action of cooling or chilling food and drinks.
Strokes15Radical钅Frequency#1692DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 镇 often signifies safety and stability, reflecting the historical importance of garrisons in protecting towns and communities. The concept of calming and controlling resonates deeply with traditional values of harmony and order in society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a small town (镇) where the townspeople have to calm a wild horse. The character has a 'small town' component, suggesting a place where things are kept in order and calm. Picture the horse being pressed down to relax, connecting the sound 'zhèn' to the calming action.
Meanings of 镇
zhèn(zhen4)
1to press down
2to calm
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 镇
镇Simplified
鎮Traditional
15Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1692Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 镇
Podcast: 镇
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AI Study Notes for 镇
Quick Contrast
镇 (zhèn) vs 安 (ān) — use 镇 when referring to calming or suppressing a situation, while 安 emphasizes peace and safety.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a small town (镇) where the townspeople have to calm a wild horse. The character has a 'small town' component, suggesting a place where things are kept in order and calm. Picture the horse being pressed down to relax, connecting the sound 'zhèn' to the calming action.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is confusing 镇 with its similar-sounding counterparts, which can lead to miscommunication. Use 镇 in both formal and informal settings, but be mindful of context; for example, avoid using it in overly casual conversations when discussing serious matters. Common collocations include 镇静 (calm down) and 镇压 (suppress).
HSK Study Tips
This character is not part of the official HSK vocabulary but can be useful for learners at HSK Level 4 or higher. Focus on its various meanings and contexts, especially the nuances of calming and suppressing, which can often appear in advanced texts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 镇 often signifies safety and stability, reflecting the historical importance of garrisons in protecting towns and communities. The concept of calming and controlling resonates deeply with traditional values of harmony and order in society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 镇 with the character 震 (zhèn), which means 'to shake' or 'to tremble.' For example, saying '镇动' instead of '震动' is incorrect; the correct term for 'shake' is 震动.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 镇
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Grammar Patterns of 镇
镇 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 9 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.
Somehow she steadied herself and murmured, "Have you got a cigarette?"
Cultural Notes for 镇
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 镇 often signifies safety and stability, reflecting the historical importance of garrisons in protecting towns and communities. The concept of calming and controlling resonates deeply with traditional values of harmony and order in society.
Word Family of 镇
Words Containing This Character20
镇zhènto calm鎮
城镇chéngzhèntown城鎮
小镇small town小鎮
乡镇xiāngzhènvillage鄉鎮
镇定zhèndìngcalm鎮定
镇静zhènjìngcalm鎮靜
镇压suppression鎮壓
镇静剂tranquilizer鎮靜劑
镇长town headman鎮長
镇痛analgesic鎮痛
村镇hamlet (place)村鎮
坐镇to oversee坐鎮
城镇化urbanization城鎮化
镇江Zhenjiang prefecture level city in Jiangsu鎮江
冰镇iced冰鎮
集镇town集鎮
景德镇Jingdezhen prefecture-level city in Jiangxi province 江西, famous for porcelain景德鎮
重镇strategic town重鎮
市镇small town市鎮
镇守to protect鎮守
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 镇 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 镇
镇 focuses more on the action of calming or suppressing a situation, while 平静 emphasizes a state of tranquility or calmness.
Yes, 镇 can describe the act of calming one's emotions, such as in the phrase 镇静下来 (calm down).
While 镇 is traditionally associated with calming and towns, it can be metaphorically used in modern contexts, like maintaining calm in stressful business environments.
