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Strokes of genius 珍
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AS a picto-phonogram, “珍zhēn” (treasure) consists of two parts – the left radical for “jade” indicates its meaning, while the right part indicates its pronunciation. Fortunately, the pronunciation part is an associative character by itself, which can serve as a helpful mnemonic. What equals the “人rén” (person) on top plus the three left-falling strokes for “beard” at the bottom? It’s “an old man with long beard.” Therefore, now the whole character of “珍zhēn” can be illustrated as a jade handed down from the ancestors – what a treasure!
Firstly, in its original meaning, “珍zhēn” occurs in the idiom “如数家珍rúshǔjiāzhēn,” word-for-word meaning “as if enumerating one’s family valuables.” It is used to describe “cite examples or relate a story with great familiarity.” For instance:
那个小球迷对今年世界杯的32支球队如数家珍。
Nà ge xiǎo qiúmí duì jīnnián Shìjièbēi de 32 zhī qiúduì rúshǔjiāzhēn.
That little football fan knows the 32 teams in this year¡¯s World Cup at his fingertips.
Secondly,“珍zhēn” means “treasured, precious” as in the adjective “珍贵zhēnguì,” often used to modify “资料zīliào” (material, data), “回忆huíyì”(memory), “感情gǎnqíng”(affection, love), “礼物lǐwù”(gift), “纪念jìniàn”(memento), etc. Two more examples of “珍zhēn” as an adjective:
珍宝
zhēnbǎo
jewelry, riches
珍珠
zhēnzhū
pearl
By the way, “珍宝珠zhēnbǎozhū” is the Chinese name of the famous lollipop brand Chupa Chups.
Thirdly, “珍zhēn” can also be used in the verb “珍惜” for “treasure, cherish, value,” usually followed by objects like “粮食liángshi” (food, grain, cereals), “时间shíjiān” (time), “生命shēngmìng” (life), “亲友qīnyǒu” (family and friends), “眼前yǎnqiánrén” (the one who’s with you), etc. Another useful expression with “珍zhēn” in this meaning would be a kind farewell wish.
一路珍重
Yílù zhēnzhòng!
Take care and have a safe journey!
(For more Chinese learning tips, please contact the author Emma Ding via info@emmalanguagestudio.com.)
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