征

zhēng
verb HSK 7-9 #7,847

Meanings

  1. 1 to go on a journey/campaign
  2. 2 to levy; to collect
  3. 3 sign; evidence

Examples

HSK 2
Zhè shì yígè hǎo de xiàngzhēng.
This is a good symbol.
HSK 5
Gōngsī zhèngzài zhēngjí yìjiàn.
The company is soliciting opinions.
HSK 5
Fāshāo shì gǎnmào de tèzhēng.
Fever is a symptom of a cold.

Tips

usage
征 is in 征求 (zhēngqiú, to solicit), 象征 (xiàngzhēng, symbol), 特征 (tèzhēng, characteristic), 长征 (chángzhēng, Long March), 远征 (yuǎnzhēng, expedition).

Components

radical
彳 chì
step (radical form)
Left step radical - the side-form of 行 (walk), showing a small footstep. The indexing radical, files 征 in the family of motion / path characters: 往 go toward, 待 wait, 微 tiny step, 徐 slow, 德 virtue (a path walked). Marks 征 as movement along a road - specifically a military march or distant journey.
phonetic
正 zhèng
upright; correct
Right 正 supplies both sound and meaning - zhèng shifting to zhēng with tone change, and the moral weight of 'rightful / just' fits the original meaning of a righteous military expedition. Originally 正 itself depicted a foot 止 moving toward a city - a campaign. Same phonetic family: 政 government, 症 illness, 整 whole, 怔 dazed.

Stroke Order

征 zhēng