字 字源HanziOrigin
中文EnglishFrançaisEspañolالعربيةРусский
臣
chén
minister, subject
At a glance · 臣

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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.

臣 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 臣 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 臣 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 臣 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 臣 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 臣 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

臣字甲骨文象竖目之形，本义为奴仆、臣属（俯首屈服之目）；后指君臣之臣。金文、小篆承之。

What the sketch shows

臣 Object sketch

Origins & notes

臣本义为奴仆、臣属，后指臣子。

Structure

臣为象形字，描摹低头屈服之眼形，表示臣服者。

At a glance

Pinyinchén
Radical臣
Strokes6
UnicodeU+81E3
Character type象形
Theme人伦

Six languages, one character

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

English minister, subject Chen was originally a pictograph of a lowered eye, meaning a subject and official.
Français ministre, sujet Chen était à l'origine un pictogramme d'un œil baissé, signifiant sujet et ministre.
Español ministro, súbdito Chen era originalmente un pictograma de un ojo bajado, significa súbdito y ministro.
العربية وزير، رعية تشن كان في الأصل رسماً لعين خافضة، يعني الرعية والوزير.
Русский сановник, подданный Чэнь изначально было пиктограммой опущенного глаза, означает подданного и чиновника.

Common words

  • 大臣dà chénminister
  • 臣民chén mínsubjects

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