辰 (chén) - The fifth of the twelve Earthly Branches & celestial bodies

辰Tone 2

chén ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 辰

嫦晨

辰 · chén

The fifth of the twelve Earthly Branches;

celestial bodies;

time;

occasion;

morning;

the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac.

The fifth of the twelve Earthly Branchescelestial bodiestime

Usage highlights

BirthdayMorning lightGood time/occasionTimeStars/celestial bodiesDragon year

Synonyms

  • 晨— morning (shares the morning sense)
  • 时— time (general term for time)

Antonyms

  • 暮— dusk/evening (antonym to the morning sense)
  • 夜— night (antonym to the morning sense)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Today is my birthday (生辰).
  • The morning sun is beautiful (辰光).
  • This is the Year of the Dragon (龙年).
  • We met at a good time (良辰).

Collocations

  • Birthday(生辰)
  • Morning light(辰光)
  • Good time/occasion(良辰)
  • Time(时辰)
  • Stars/celestial bodies(星辰)
  • Dragon year(辰年)

Idioms

  • A beautiful scene and a fine day(良辰美景)
  • A lucky day and an auspicious time(吉日良辰)
  • The stars and the moon(星辰日月)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • One of the twelve Earthly Branches (地支), used in the traditional Chinese calendar system.
  • Corresponds to the Dragon (龙) in the Chinese zodiac and the hours 7–9 AM.
  • Historically associated with celestial bodies and the concept of time in Chinese cosmology.

FAQ