楨 (zhēn) - zhen — hardwood & pillar

楨Tone 1

zhēn ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

丈志

楨 · zhēn

zhen — hardwood;

pillar;

firm and solid;

used in names to signify strength and reliability.

zhen — hardwoodpillarfirm and solid

Usage highlights

Hardwood pillarZhen woodNational pillarPillar talentZhenweiZhengu

Synonyms

  • 柱— pillar, column
  • 梁— beam, support
  • 栋— ridgepole, main beam

Antonyms

  • 弱— weak, feeble
  • 软— soft, flexible

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The hardwood pillar (桢干) supports the structure.
  • He is a pillar of the community (社会桢干).
  • Ancient texts mention zhen wood (桢木) for construction.
  • Her name Zhenyu (桢宇) means 'pillar of the universe'.

Collocations

  • Hardwood pillar(桢干)
  • Zhen wood(桢木)
  • National pillar(国桢)
  • Pillar talent(桢材)
  • Zhenwei(桢卫 - pillar guard)
  • Zhengu(桢固 - firm and solid)

Idioms

  • Pillars and beams of the state(国家桢干)
  • Firm as hardwood(坚如桢木)
  • Talented pillars(桢良之才)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient China, zhen referred to a type of hardwood used for important structural pillars.
  • The character symbolizes reliability, strength, and being a foundational support in both literal and metaphorical senses.
  • Used in classical texts to describe indispensable people who serve as pillars of society or government.

FAQ