箴 zhēn — needle · English

箴

zhēn

needle

At a glance · 箴

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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.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
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

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

「箴」从竹咸声，小篆从竹箴声，形声清晰。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「箴」本义为缝衣针，引申规谏、箴言。

Structure

从竹、咸(箴)声，形声字，竹表竹器义类，本为针、劝诫。

At a glance

Pinyinzhēn

Radical竹

Strokes15

UnicodeU+7BB4

Character type形声

Theme器物

Six languages, one character

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

English needle needle, probe; warn, admonish

Français avertir / proverbe Avertir, proverbe. «切磨箴规» : les avertissements.

Español advertir / proverbio Advertir, proverbio. «切磨箴规»: las advertencias.

العربية ينصح / حكمة ينصح، حكمة. «切磨箴规»: النصائح.

Русский наставлять / изречение Наставлять, изречение. «切磨箴规»: наставления.

Common words

箴言zhēn yánadmonition
箴zhēncounsel

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