征 meaning and stroke order
Journey; trip; expedition
How to write 征, stroke by stroke
8 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
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- 4
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- 8
Meaning of 征
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- journey
- trip
- expedition
- to go on long campaign
- to attack
- to invite
How 征 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Step.
彳 gives the meaning and 正 hints at the sound.
Radical: 彳 (to step with the left foot), shared by 42 characters on this site.
How to remember 征
征 is a pictophonetic character. The left part 彳 means "step" and hints at walking, while 正 (zhèng) gives the sound, so picture an army taking steps straight and "correct" toward a long campaign.
征 shows up mostly in compound words rather than alone. It covers marching and conquering (征服, 长征), asking for or gathering things (征求, 征集, 征收), and signs or features (特征, 象征, 征兆). Example: 我们正在征求大家的意见。(Wǒmen zhèngzài zhēngqiú dàjiā de yìjiàn.) We are asking for everyone's opinions.
Common mistake: Learners often write 征 with the single-person radical 亻 instead of the double-person 彳, or mix it up with 证 (zhèng, proof) because both use 正. Also note the tone: 征 is first tone zhēng, while 正 and 证 are fourth tone zhèng.
Common words with 征
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 征服 | zhēngfú | to conquer; to subdue | HSK 4 |
| 特征 | tèzhēng | characteristic; diagnostic property | HSK 4 |
| 征求 | zhēngqiú | to solicit; to seek | HSK 4 |
| 象征 | xiàngzhēng | symbol; emblem; to symbolize; to signify; to represent | HSK 5 |
| 征收 | zhēngshōu | to levy (a tax); to expropriate | HSK 7-9 |
| 长征 | chángzhēng | expedition; long journey | HSK 7-9 |
| 征集 | zhēngjí | to collect; to recruit | HSK 7-9 |
| 征兆 | zhēngzhào | omen; sign (that sth is about to happen) | |
| 征服者 | zhēngfúzhě | conqueror | |
| 远征 | yuǎnzhēng | an expedition, esp. military; march to remote regions | |
| 征用 | zhēngyòng | to expropriate; to commandeer | |
| 出征 | chūzhēng | to go into battle; to campaign (military) | |
| 应征 | yìngzhēng | to apply (for a job); to reply to a job advertisement | |
| 征兵 | zhēngbīng | to levy troops; recruitment |
征 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Characters that contain 征
Learning 征 makes these easier to recognize and write.
Questions about 征
How many strokes are in 征?
征 is written with 8 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 征 mean?
征 (zhēng) means journey; trip; expedition. A common word with it is 征服 (zhēngfú), meaning "to conquer; to subdue".
How do you pronounce 征?
征 is pronounced zhēng, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 征?
The radical of 征 is 彳, which carries the idea of "to step with the left foot". Dictionaries list 征 under this radical.
What is the traditional form of 征?
The traditional form of 征 is 徵. Traditional characters are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; 征 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore.
Is 征 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 征 is part of the HSK 4 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard.
Why does 征 mean both "expedition" and "characteristic"?
In simplified Chinese, 征 now also stands for the meanings of traditional 徵, which included "sign" and "to summon". That is why words like 特征 (tèzhēng) and 象征 (xiàngzhēng) use the same character as 长征 (chángzhēng).
What is the difference between 征求 and 要求?
征求 (zhēngqiú) means to openly seek or invite input, such as opinions or suggestions. 要求 (yāoqiú) means to demand or require something. Use 征求意见 when politely asking for feedback.