How many strokes does the Chinese character "真" (zhēn) have?
"真" has 10 strokes in Simplified Chinese. Its primary dictionary radical is 目, and you can animate or practice writing every stroke in order using the interactive grid on this page.
Ready · 10 strokes
Speed:
Virtues & Core Values
Name: Good with Pairing
Tattoo: Better in a Phrase
真 Truth in Chinese (zhēn)
Dictionary Summary
真 (zhēn) means really; truly; indeed. Simplified form has 10 strokes under radical 目.
Pinyin & Tonezhēn (Tone 1)
Simplified / Trad.真 / 真
Radical目
Total Strokes10 strokes
StructureTop–Bottom (直 + 几)
Unicode / LevelU+771F · HSK 1
Native Naming & Tattoo Safety Review
🪪 Using “真” in a Chinese Name · Good with Pairing (Unisex)
Authentic, pure, and candid (e.g., 唯真, 涵真, 若真). Avoid dated 80s pairings like 丽真; literary pairings feel fresh and sincere.
✒️ Using “真” for a Tattoo · Better in a Phrase
In modern Chinese, 真 is heavily used as the adverb 'really/very', so standalone 真 can look incomplete. Pair as 求真 (seek truth) or 本真 (authentic self).
Character Etymology & CC-CEDICT Meanings
Origin & Visual Logic: Traditionally linked to transformation toward one's true Daoist essence; visually balanced with clean horizontal strokes.
| Traditional / Simplified | Pinyin | CC-CEDICT Definitions |
|---|---|---|
| 真 / 真 | zhēn | really; truly; indeed |
Lexical entries derived from CC-CEDICT (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Make Me a Hanzi (APL / LGPL-3.0).
Common Words & Idioms Using “真”
| Chinese Word | Pinyin | English Meaning | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 真诚 | zhēnchéng | sincere and genuine | |
| 真实 | zhēnshí | real and authentic | |
| 天真 | tiānzhēn | innocent and pure-hearted |
English Names Using “真” in Our Curated Recommendations
See how native speakers pair 真 (zhēn) into modern Chinese names:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "真" good to use in a real Chinese name?
Rating: Good with Pairing (Unisex). Authentic, pure, and candid (e.g., 唯真, 涵真, 若真). Avoid dated 80s pairings like 丽真; literary pairings feel fresh and sincere.
Is "真" safe as a Chinese character tattoo?
Tattoo rating: Better in a Phrase. In modern Chinese, 真 is heavily used as the adverb 'really/very', so standalone 真 can look incomplete. Pair as 求真 (seek truth) or 本真 (authentic self).