阵 (zhèn) - battle array & formation

阵Tone 4

zhèn ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 阝

丈志

阵 · zhèn

battle array;

formation;

position;

front;

a period of time;

wave;

spell

battle arrayformationposition

Usage highlights

battle formationbattlefieldline up for battlearray of troopsbreak the enemy formationhead of the formation

Synonyms

  • 队列— queue, formation
  • 阵势— battle array, situation
  • 阵地— battlefield, position

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The soldiers lined up in formation (列阵).
  • We won the first battle (第一阵).
  • A gust of wind blew (一阵风).
  • He had a coughing fit (一阵咳嗽).

Collocations

  • battle formation(阵势)
  • battlefield(阵地)
  • line up for battle(列阵)
  • array of troops(布阵)
  • break the enemy formation(破阵)
  • head of the formation(阵头)

Idioms

  • Form a long snake battle array(摆长蛇阵)
  • Break through enemy lines single-handedly(单枪匹马冲入敌阵)
  • Strike while the iron is hot(一阵风雷)
  • The vanguard is defeated, the main force is demoralized(先锋败阵，主力丧气)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to military deployment and tactical formations in ancient Chinese warfare.
  • Extended meaning to describe temporary periods or spells of weather, illness, or emotion.
  • Used in both literal military contexts and metaphorical descriptions of temporary situations.

FAQ