怔
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: startled; terrified; panic-stricken
💡 Heart (忄) stands upright (正) but is frozen by shock—like a deer in headlights.
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
Unearthing the character 怔 (zhēng), we find its radical 忄 (heart) combined with 正 (upright). In ancient contexts, this character described the heart’s sudden, frozen reaction to terror—as if struck motionless by fear. It appears in classical texts to depict panic or shock, often in moments of unexpected danger. The character’s structure visually captures an upright heart stopped by dread.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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