Chinese characters for “zhen”
48 characters share this plain syllable. Compare tone marks first, then open a character for writing and usage.
Separate the sound family before memorizing characters
The same letters can represent different words when the tone changes.
First tone
zhēn
real, actual, true, genuine
10 strokes · HSK 3.0 L1needle, pin, tack
7 strokes · HSK 3.0 L6virtuous, chaste, pure
6 strokesto spy, to reconnoiter
8 strokesa river in Guangdong province
9 strokesa treasure, a precious thing
9 strokesmeasles, pustules, rash
9 strokesvirtuous, chaste, pure
9 strokeshardwood
10 strokesanvil, flat stone
10 strokeslucky, auspicious
10 strokesneedle, pin, tack
10 strokesto spy, to reconnoiter
11 strokesa river in Guangdong province
12 strokesto deliberate, to gauge
13 strokeshardwood
13 strokesto grade, to examine, to discern
13 strokeslucky, auspicious
13 strokesabundant
13 strokeshazelnut
14 strokesto receive blessings
14 strokesneedle, probe
15 strokesto reach, to arrive
16 strokesThird tone
zhěn
bushy, black hair
5 strokesto diagnose
7 strokespillow
8 strokes · HSK 3.0 L7-9a cross board at rear of a carriage
9 strokesborder, boundary
10 strokesrash, measles
10 strokesto diagnose
12 strokesa cross board at rear of a carriage
12 strokesfine, detailed
13 strokesto accumulate
15 strokesglossy black hair
20 strokesFourth tone
zhèn
calm, composed
15 strokes · HSK 3.0 L6row, column
6 strokes · HSK 3.0 L5shake, quake, tremor
15 strokes · HSK 3.0 L7-9a furrow in a field
6 strokesrow, column
9 strokesa bird resembling the secretary falcon
9 strokesto arouse, to excite
10 strokesthe royal "we", for imperial use
10 strokesto relieve, to aid
11 strokespoison, bad wine
11 strokesa jade earring
14 strokesto relieve, to aid
14 strokesa bird resembling the secretary falcon
15 strokescalm, composed
18 strokesWords using this pronunciation family
Move from isolated sounds into useful vocabulary.