(zèng) - To give as a gift & to present

Tone 4

zèng | 19 strokes | radical:

· zèng

To give as a gift;

to present;

to bestow;

to donate.

To give as a giftto presentto bestow

Usage highlights

To present a giftTo donateGift itemTo inscribe and presentTo bestow a poemComplimentary copy

Synonyms

  • to give; to send
  • to give
  • to offer; to dedicate

Antonyms

  • to receive
  • to take
  • to seize; to take by force

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He gave me a book as a gift (赠书).
  • The company donated money to charity (捐赠).
  • She presented flowers to the performer (赠花).
  • This is a complimentary copy (赠品).

Collocations

  • To present a gift(赠送)
  • To donate(捐赠)
  • Gift item(赠品)
  • To inscribe and present(题赠)
  • To bestow a poem(赠诗)
  • Complimentary copy(赠阅)

Idioms

  • To present a sword to offer encouragement(赠刀励志)
  • To present a peony to express feelings(赠芍表情)
  • To present a robe at parting(临别赠袍)
  • To inscribe a poem as a gift(题诗相赠)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character reflects traditional Chinese customs of gift-giving as an important social ritual.
  • Often used in literary contexts, such as presenting poems or calligraphy to friends.
  • Associated with Confucian values of generosity and maintaining social relationships through exchange.

FAQ