正
zhèng
correct, upright
At a glance · 正

Listen

Audio is synthesized in your browser: Mandarin for the character and Shuowen text, native voices for every translation. No downloads.

Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

正 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 正 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 正 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 正 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 正 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 正 Regular script
    Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

正字甲骨文从止从一,会意为足向目标直行,本义为正直、正中。金文、小篆承之。

What the sketch shows

正 Object sketch

Origins & notes

正本义为正直、正确、正中。

Structure

会意字,从止(足)从一(目标),表示行止得正。

At a glance

Pinyinzhèng
Radical止
Strokes5
UnicodeU+6B63
Character type会意
Theme德行

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English correct, upright Zheng is an associative character of foot and line, meaning correct and upright.
Français correct, droit Zheng est un caractère associatif de pied et trait, signifiant correct et droit.
Español correcto, recto Zheng es un carácter asociativo de pie y trazo, significa correcto y recto.
العربية صحيح، مستقيم تشينغ حرف تركيبي لقدم وخط، يعني الصحيح والمستقيم.
Русский правильный, прямой Чжэн — ассоциативный знак ступни и черты, означает правильный и прямой.

Common words

  • 正确zhèng quècorrect
  • 正式zhèng shìformal