占 (zhàn) - to occupy & to take possession

占Tone 4

zhàn ｜ 5 strokes ｜ radical: 卜

悦丈

占 · zhàn

to occupy;

to take possession;

to account for;

to divine;

to foretell

to occupyto take possessionto account for

Usage highlights

to occupyto account forto monopolizefortuneto take up spacemarket share

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 让— to yield; to give up
  • 退— to retreat; to withdraw
  • 失— to lose

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The army occupied the city (占领城市).
  • This brand accounts for 30% of the market (占市场份额).
  • Ancient kings used oracle bones for divination (占卜).
  • The seat is already taken (座位被占了).

Collocations

  • to occupy(占领)
  • to account for(占据)
  • to monopolize(独占)
  • fortune-telling(占卜)
  • to take up space(占用)
  • market share(市场份额)

Idioms

  • To take advantage of somebody(占人便宜)
  • To monopolize the spotlight(独占鳌头)
  • To seize the opportunity(占得先机)
  • To occupy by force(强占)
  • To divine by observing celestial phenomena(占星)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted divination using tortoise shells or oracle bones in ancient China.
  • The character combines 'divination' (卜) with 'mouth' (口), suggesting verbal interpretation of omens.
  • In modern usage, extended to mean occupying space or possessing territory.
  • Historically important in Shang dynasty religious and political practices.

FAQ