HSK Level 4

称赞

chēng zàn

to praise; to acclaim; to commend

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Example Sentences

Synonyms

Antonyms

批评 (pī píng)

criticize

责备 (zé bèi)

blame

Etymology & Components

The Chinese word 称赞 (chēngzàn) is composed of two characters: 称 (chēng) and 赞 (zàn). The character 称 originally meant "to weigh" or "to measure", and was often used in the context of weighing goods or measuring the weight of a person. Over time, the meaning of 称 expanded to include the idea of "to praise" or "to commend", as in the phrase 称赞 (chēngzàn), which literally means "to weigh and praise". The character 赞 (zàn) originally meant "to help" or "to assist", and was often used in the context of helping someone in need. Over time, the meaning of 赞 expanded to include the idea of "to praise" or "to commend", as in the phrase 称赞 (chēngzàn), which literally means "to help and praise". Thus, the word 称赞 (chēngzàn) combines the ideas of "to weigh and praise" and "to help and praise", and is used to express the idea of praising or commending someone or something.