章
Character Story & Explanation
In Beijing’s National Library, visitors flip through bound volumes of the 《中华人民共和国宪法》 (Constitution of the People’s Republic of China), where each major division is labeled 章 — e.g., 第二章 ‘公民的基本权利和义务’ (Chapter Two: ‘Fundamental Rights and Duties of Citizens’). This usage is standardized across all PRC laws and school textbooks. The character also appears in idioms like 杂乱无章 (zálùan wú zhāng, ‘disorderly, without pattern’), reflecting its root meaning of ‘orderly arrangement’.
The character’s form has no verified pictographic origin in oracle bone script; its earliest attested shape (bronze inscriptions, c. 10th–8th c. BCE) combines 立 (standing) and 早 (early, later simplified), suggesting ‘a formally designated section’. Today, Chinese students routinely write 章 in essay outlines, exam answer sheets, and digital note-taking apps — always marking structural units with clear hierarchy.
The character 章 (zhāng) originally denoted a 'pattern' or 'ornament' — think of embroidered motifs on ancient silk robes — and evolved to mean 'chapter' because classical texts were organized by distinct, decorated sections. Its radical 立 (lì, 'to stand') reflects the idea of something formally established and upright, like a titled section standing apart in a book.
Today, 章 carries layered meanings: a chapter in a book (e.g., textbook or novel), a legal article (e.g., in the PRC Constitution), or even an official seal (as in 印章 yìnzhāng). This semantic range shows how Chinese characters retain historical resonance while adapting to modern institutions — from publishing to lawmaking.
At HSK Level 4, 章 appears frequently in academic, administrative, and literary contexts. Learners encounter it in phrases like 第一章 (dì yī zhāng, 'Chapter One') or 法律条文 (fǎlǜ tiáowén) where 章 may refer to numbered articles. Recognizing 章 helps decode formal documents, textbooks, and even digital interfaces — like e-book navigation menus in Chinese apps.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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