镇

• Pinyin: zhèn
• Hanzi breakdown: 镇 = 钅 (metal) + 真 (true, phonetic)

Meaning

Town; to suppress or calm; to guard or garrison.

As a noun, refers to a small town or township, an administrative division below county level. As a verb, means to suppress, subdue, or calm something down. Also used for keeping things cool (镇) as in chilled drinks.

Examples

1. 这个古镇保留了许多明清时期的建筑，很有历史韵味。 This ancient town has preserved many buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, full of historical charm.
2. 他喝了杯冰镇啤酒，炎热的感觉顿时消散了不少。 He drank a glass of ice-cold beer, and the feeling of heat dissipated considerably.
3. 政府迅速采取措施镇压了骚乱。 The government quickly took measures to suppress the unrest.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, politics, food/drinks

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这个镇上只有几千人口。(This town only has a few thousand residents.)
• 来一杯冰镇可乐。(Get me an ice-cold cola.)

Don't Say

• 我住在一个镇市。(Redundant — use 镇 or 市, not together)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character combining 钅 (metal radical) and 真 (true, phonetic). Originally meant a heavy object used to hold things down, later extended to suppress and garrison.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal