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征 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
征zhēngjourneyHSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 彳, rank #7847, Very Hard
征zhēngtripHSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 彳, rank #7847, Very Hard
征zhēngexpeditionHSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 彳, rank #7847, Very Hard
征zhēngto go on long campaignHSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 彳, rank #7847, Very Hard
征zhēngto attackHSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 彳, rank #7847, Very Hard
征zhēngto inviteHSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 彳, rank #7847, Very Hard
征zhēngto recruitHSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 彳, rank #7847, Very Hard
征zhēngto levy (taxes)HSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 彳, rank #7847, Very Hard
征zhēngto draft (troops)HSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 彳, rank #7847, Very Hard
征zhēngphenomenonHSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 彳, rank #7847, Very Hard
征zhēngsymptomHSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 彳, rank #7847, Very Hard
征zhēngcharacteristic sign (used as proof)HSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 彳, rank #7847, Very Hard
征zhēngevidenceHSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 彳, rank #7847, Very Hard
征zhēngto summon, to recruit; levy, tax; journey; invasionHSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 彳, rank #7847, Very Hard
zhēng(zheng1) T1
  1. 1journey
  2. 2trip
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

征(徵)zhēng(zheng1)

The character 征 (zhēng) primarily means to embark on a journey or expedition, often in a military context. It can also refer to actions such as recruiting, levying taxes, or summoning, which highlights its connection to authority and governance. In a broader sense, it can denote a phenomenon or symptom that serves as evidence for something.

Strokes8Radical彳Frequency#7847DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In ancient China, the concept of征 (campaigning) was closely linked to dynastic expansion and the duty of subjects to serve in military campaigns, which were often a matter of national pride and survival.

Memory Tip

Imagine a warrior setting out on a grand journey (征) with a banner in one hand, summoning (征) his troops and collecting taxes (征) from the towns they pass. The character combines the radical for 'to go' with elements suggesting action and command, which can help you remember its meanings related to journeys and authority.

Meanings of 征

zhēng(zheng1)
1journey
2trip
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 征

征Simplified
徵Traditional
8Strokes
彳Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#7847Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

Podcast: 征

JasonAmy

Podcast: 征

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 征

Quick Contrast

征 (zhēng) vs 旅 (lǚ) — choose 征 when emphasizing a journey with a purpose or authority, while 旅 focuses on travel in a general sense.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 征 with other characters that have similar pronunciations but different meanings, such as 整 (zhěng). This character is more formal and is often used in contexts like military or government. Common collocations include 征兵 (recruit troops) and 征税 (levy taxes).

HSK Study Tips

Although 征 is not commonly included in HSK lists, it can be linked to HSK level 4 vocabulary related to travel and authority. Students should focus on understanding its multiple meanings and how it can be used in different contexts, such as military versus civil.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 征 with the similar-sounding character 正 (zhèng). For instance, saying '我征在这儿' (Wǒ zhēng zài zhèr - I am征here) is incorrect; it should be '我在这儿' (Wǒ zài zhèr - I am here).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 征

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Etymology of 征

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 彳 represents the meaning and 正 represents the sound. Originally written as 正.

Memory Hint

step

Semantic (meaning)彳
+
Phonetic (sound)正
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 征

Phonosemantic compound. 彳 represents the meaning and 正 represents the sound. Originally written as 正.

  1. 1The meaning half彳 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half正 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaystep
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

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

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 征?

Decomposition of 征

IDS Structure⿰彳正
征Full Character
=
彳chi4
left
正zheng1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 征?

How to say journey in Chinese

“journey” in Chinese is征zhēng

The character 征 (zhēng) primarily means to embark on a journey or expedition, often in a military context. It can also refer to actions such as recruiting, levying taxes, or summoning, which highlights its connection to authority and governance. In a broader sense, it can denote a phenomenon or symptom that serves as evidence for something.

When to use 征

Be careful not to confuse 征 with other characters that have similar pronunciations but different meanings, such as 整 (zhěng). This character is more formal and is often used in contexts like military or government. Common collocations include 征兵 (recruit troops) and 征税 (levy taxes).

征 or something close to it

征 (zhēng) vs 旅 (lǚ) — choose 征 when emphasizing a journey with a purpose or authority, while 旅 focuses on travel in a general sense.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 征 with the similar-sounding character 正 (zhèng). For instance, saying '我征在这儿' (Wǒ zhēng zài zhèr - I am征here) is incorrect; it should be '我在这儿' (Wǒ zài zhèr - I am here).

Write 征

征

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 征

征 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 14 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.

Related grammar lessons1
是…的 emphasis是 + [V] + 的
HSK 3

...

这次征途是很艰辛的。

zhè cì zhēngtú shì hěn jiānxīn de.

This journey was very arduous.

Exercise 1 of 1

Build the Sentence

This journey was very arduous.

Tap tokens to build the sentence

Common Confusions with 征

征vs争
zhēng

Same pronunciation but different meanings.

征vs证
zhèng

Similar meaning related to evidence but different usage.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "journey"?

or

Example Sentences for 征 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
面对遭征服的悲惨命运，他们保持了乐观的态度。

miàn duì zāo zhēng fú de bēi cǎn mìng yùn， ， tā mén bǎo chí le lè guān de tài。

They have maintained their optimism in the face of desolating subjugation.
2
语言是将人类与动物区分开来的基本特征。

yǔ yán shì jiāng rén lèi yǔ dòng wù qū fēn kāi lái de jī běn tè zhēng。

Language is something which fundamentally distinguishes humans from animals.
3
士兵们征用首都的车辆，并且占领了电视台。

shì bīng mén zhēng yòng shǒu dū de chē liàng， ， bìng qiě zhān lǐng le diàn shì。

The soldiers commandeered vehicles in the capital and occupied the television station.
4
民意调查征询了将近80位经济学家的意见。

mín yì tiáo chá zhēng xún le jiāng jìn80 80 wèi jīng jì xué jiā de yì。

The poll canvassed the views of almost eighty economists.
5
诺曼征服之后，这片森林成为了皇家狩猎区。

nuò màn zhēng fú zhī hòu， ， zhè piàn sēn lín chéng wéi le huáng jiā shòu liè。

After the Norman Conquest the forest became a royal hunting preserve.
6
在一些作品中，花具有强烈的象征意义。

zài yī xiē zuò pǐn zhōng， ， huā jù yǒu qiáng liè de xiàng zhēng yì。

In some works, flowers take on a powerful emblematic quality.
7
两组都具有通常脊椎动物才具备的两个特征。

liǎng zǔ dū jù yǒu tōng cháng jǐ zhuī dòng wù cái jù bèi de liǎng gè tè zhēng。

Both groups share two attributes normally associated with vertebrates.
8
这节诗描绘了春天来临的三个征兆。

zhè jié shī miáo huì le chūn tiān lái lín de sān gè zhēng zhào。

This verse describes three signs of spring.
9
古罗马人征服英国的时候也带来了这个风俗。

gǔ luó mǎ rén zhēng fú yīng guó de shí hòu yě dài lái le zhè gè fēng sú。

When they conquered Britain, the Romans brought this custom with them.
10
他们担心极权主义者会征服整个世界。

tā mén dān xīn jí quán zhǔ yì zhě huì zhēng fú zhěng gè shì jiè。

They feared that totalitarians might yet conquer the entire world.

Word Family of 征

Compounds1
惩cheng2to punish
Words Containing This Character20
特征tèzhēngcharacteristic特徵
象征xiàngzhēngemblem象徵
征服zhēngfúto conquer
征zhēngto invite徵
征兆omen徵兆
征求zhēngqiúto solicit徵求
征收zhēngshōuto levy (a fine)徵收
综合征syndrome綜合徵
征集zhēngjíto collect徵集
长征chángzhēngexpedition長征
应征to apply (for a job)應徵
征战campaign征戰
出征to go into battle
远征march to remote regions遠征
征兵to levy troops徵兵
征用to expropriate
征召to enlist徵召
象征性symbolic象徵性
征地to requisition land
体征(medical) sign體徵
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 惩 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 征

Common phrases include 征兵 (zhēngbīng - to recruit soldiers) and 征税 (zhēngshuì - to levy taxes).

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