針 (zhēn) - Meaning, Stroke Order & Audio

針

zhēn[zhen1]Tone 1

needle

HSK 4

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针

Guru Deep Dive

English · needle

Cached lesson

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Topology:Left-right

Strokes:7

Writing Balance Rule: The left radical (钅) is compressed and sits slightly higher, while the right component (十) balances the structure by extending its horizontal stroke across the center.

Simplification Logic: Simplified from 針 to 釒 + 十, where the metal radical 釒 is streamlined into 钅.

1. Meaning

needle

pininjectionstitch

NounNeutral#tools#medicine#sewing

Sample Usage

这件衣服需要缝几针。
zhè jiàn yīfu xūyào féng jǐ zhēn.
This piece of clothing needs a few stitches.
护士给我打了一针。
hùshi gěi wǒ dǎ le yī zhēn.
The nurse gave me an injection.

2. Sound

/[ʈʂən⁵⁵]/Tone: 55

針

zhēnzhen1

¯(55)

=zhēn

Initial Consonant

Type: Unaspirated Retroflex

Sounds like: j/dr retroflex sound

UnaspiratedRetroflex

Airflow Tactile Test: No burst of air. Tongue curled up. Tissue stays still.

Tongue & Mouth Position: Tongue tip curled back near hard palate

Final Rhyme

Vowel Group: -e vowel group

Sounds like: -en rhymes with en in 'open'

Mouth Shape Guide: Pronounce as standalone vowel 'uhn'.

Common Learner Trap: Keep vowel quality steady across all 4 tone contours.

Tone

T1 (55)

5 → 5 (55)

1st Tone (High-Flat)

Tone Pitch & Cadence: Tone 1 stays flat and high, similar to singing a high note continuously.

👂

Listening trap: Confusing 'zhēn' with 'zhēng' or retroflex initials with dental sibilants like 'zēn'.

👋

Physical Tone Gesture: Tone 1 is a high, flat pitch held steady like a sustained musical note at the top of your vocal range.

3. Writing

Topology: Left-right · Strokes: 7 strokes

Writing Balance Rule: The left radical (钅) is compressed and sits slightly higher, while the right component (十) balances the structure by extending its horizontal stroke across the center.

Simplification Logic: Simplified from 針 to 釒 + 十, where the metal radical 釒 is streamlined into 钅.

4. Components

Radical 钅 · Metal Radical (metal, gold)

Semantic Clue (形旁): 钅 (indicates the metal material of a needle)

Phonetic Clue (声旁): 十 (original sound: shí / zhēn phonetic connection historically via rhyme and form)

A metal (钅) instrument shaped with a cross or vertical stem to make a sharp point (十) gives us a needle (针).

钅 metal component (left)
十 ten / phonetic-structural element (right)

5. History

Liushu category: Phono-semantic (形声)

Origin: Originally written with 釒 (metal) and 咸 (all) or 十 as a phonetic/semantic compound. Over time, the metal radical was simplified to 钅 and combined with 十 to represent a fine metal tool.

Semantic Evolution: Originally referred specifically to a metal sewing needle, later extended to medical needles, compass needles, and injections.

Ancient needles were made of bone or stone before bronze and iron technology allowed fine metal needles to be crafted.

6. Sinosphere

🇯🇵

Kanji (Japanese)

On: シン / Kun: はり

🇰🇷

Hanja (Korean)

침

7. Memory

Vivid Mnemonic Story

Imagine a tiny piece of METAL (钅) sharpened into a cross-shaped point (十) to sew clothes or receive an injection (针).

Phonetic Family (形声字家族)

针

zhēnneedleBase character with metal radical.

侦

zhēnto scout / reconnoiterUses person radical (亻) instead of metal.

Lookalikes & Traps (形近字)

针(zhēn)

Needle vs. 钟 (zhōng - clock); check the left radical (metal vs. metal bell/clock context).

8. Mastery

Active Recall Challenge

醫生給我打了一___藥。

Clue: zhēn

Common Learner Pitfall

Confusing the metal radical 钅 with the gold radical or mixing up the retroflex initial 'zh' with a dental 'z'.

Memory Prompts

Recognition: What does 针 mean and how is it pronounced?

Production: How do you write the character for 'needle' (zhēn) using the metal radical?

針zhēnneedle

Speed:

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