箴 (zhēn) - Admonish, warn & maxim, proverb

箴Tone 1

zhēn ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

丈志

箴 · zhēn

Admonish, warn;

maxim, proverb;

ancient needle-like instrument;

to advise or counsel against wrongdoing.

Admonish, warnmaxim, proverbancient needle-like instrument

Usage highlights

MaximStone needleTo admonishAdmonitory wordsNeedleworkOfficial admonisher

Synonyms

  • 谏— to remonstrate, advise against
  • 劝— to advise, urge
  • 警— to warn, alert

Antonyms

  • 纵— to indulge, let loose
  • 怂— to instigate, incite

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He offered words of admonition (箴言).
  • Ancient physicians used stone needles (箴石).
  • This proverb contains wisdom (箴言).
  • She wrote a letter of advice (箴谏).

Collocations

  • Maxim(箴言)
  • Stone needle(箴石)
  • To admonish(箴谏)
  • Admonitory words(箴规)
  • Needlework(针箴)
  • Official admonisher(箴尹)

Idioms

  • Golden words of advice(金玉箴言)
  • Admonitions for women(女箴)
  • Official's maxim(官箴)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to ancient medical needles, later extended metaphorically to pointed advice or warnings.
  • Used in classical texts for moral admonitions and proverbial wisdom.
  • Associated with Confucian tradition of offering corrective advice to rulers.

FAQ