箴 meaning and stroke order
Needle, probe; to admonish, to warn
How to write 箴, stroke by stroke
15 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 箴
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to warn
- to admonish
- variant of 針|针[zhen1]
How 箴 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Bamboo.
⺮ gives the meaning and 咸 hints at the sound.
Radical: ⺮ (bamboo), shared by 149 characters on this site.
How to remember 箴
箴 is bamboo ⺮ on top of 咸 (xián), which gives the sound. Picture a thin bamboo needle used to prick someone awake, the way a sharp warning pricks the conscience.
Today 箴 appears almost only in formal or literary words. The most common is 箴言 (zhēnyán), meaning a wise saying or admonition, and it is also the Chinese title of the Book of Proverbs. Example: 这句话是我的人生箴言。(Zhè jù huà shì wǒ de rénshēng zhēnyán.) This saying is my life motto.
Common mistake: Learners often write 箴 when they mean the everyday word for needle, 针 (zhēn). They sound the same, but modern Chinese uses 针 for needles and keeps 箴 for admonishing. Also, do not read the bottom part 咸 as xián here. The whole character is read zhēn.
Common words with 箴
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 箴言 | zhēnyán | admonition; exhortation |
Questions about 箴
How many strokes are in 箴?
箴 is written with 15 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 箴 mean?
箴 (zhēn) means needle, probe; to admonish, to warn. A common word with it is 箴言 (zhēnyán), meaning "admonition; exhortation".
How do you pronounce 箴?
箴 is pronounced zhēn, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 箴?
The radical of 箴 is ⺮, which carries the idea of "bamboo". Dictionaries list 箴 under this radical.
What does 箴言 mean in the Bible?
In Chinese Bibles, 箴言 (Zhēnyán) is the name of the Book of Proverbs. Outside that context it means a wise saying or a piece of advice meant as a warning.
Can I use 箴 by itself in speech?
Not usually. On its own, 箴 meaning to admonish belongs to classical or very formal writing. In speech people use words like 劝告 (quàngào, to advise) or 警告 (jǐnggào, to warn) instead.