烝 (zhēng) - to steam & to rise

烝Tone 1

zhēng ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

丈志

烝 · zhēng

to steam;

to rise;

numerous;

multitude;

archaic term for intimate relations with multiple women (in imperial context).

to steamto risenumerous

Usage highlights

Steam risingThe multitude of peopleSteam cookingImperial harem relationsSteam bathClouds steaming

Synonyms

  • 蒸— to steam (more common modern character)
  • 众— multitude, many
  • 多— many, much

Antonyms

  • 寡— few, scant
  • 少— little, few

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Steamed food(烝食)
  • The steam rises upward(热气烝烝)
  • Numerous people(烝民)
  • Ancient sacrificial offering(烝祭)

Collocations

  • Steam rising(烝烝)
  • The multitude of people(烝民)
  • Steam cooking(烝饪)
  • Imperial harem relations(烝报)
  • Steam bath(烝浴)
  • Clouds steaming(云烝)

Idioms

  • Steaming and boiling(烝烝沸沸)
  • Multitude of people(烝烝黎民)
  • Clouds rising like steam(云烝霞蔚)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted steam rising from food cooking in vessels, later extended to mean 'numerous' or 'multitude'.
  • In ancient texts, used to describe intimate relations between a ruler and multiple women, particularly in imperial contexts.
  • Appears in classical Chinese texts like the Book of Songs where it describes the common people or steam rising.

FAQ