====== zhāng: 张 - (Surname); To Open; (Measure Word for Flat Objects) ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** Zhang, zhāng, Chinese surname Zhang, Chinese measure word, measure word for paper, what does zhang mean in Chinese, 张 pinyin, 张 meaning, measure word for table, measure word for ticket, Chinese character Zhang.
  * **Summary:** The Chinese character 张 (zhāng) is a fundamental and versatile word essential for beginners. It is one of the most common surnames in the world, belonging to tens of millions of people. Beyond its use as a name, 张 serves as a crucial measure word for flat, sheet-like objects such as paper, tables, tickets, and photos. It also functions as a verb meaning "to open" or "to spread," like opening one's mouth or arms. Understanding these three core uses of 张 is a key step in building a practical Chinese vocabulary.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zhāng
  * **Part of Speech:** Surname, Measure Word, Verb
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 1
  * **Concise Definition:** A common surname; a measure word for flat objects; to open or stretch wide.
  * **In a Nutshell:** Think of 张 (zhāng) as a word all about surfaces and spreading out. This single concept connects its main uses. As a verb, it means to stretch something open (like a bow). This leads directly to its use as a measure word for things that are already stretched out and flat, like a sheet of paper (一张纸), a table (一张桌子), or a bed (一张床). And as one of the most widespread surnames in China, you'll encounter it constantly when meeting people.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **弓 (gōng):** This radical on the left means "bow," as in a bow and arrow.
  * **长 (cháng):** This character on the right means "long."
  * The combination of "bow" (弓) and "long" (长) creates a vivid image: drawing or stringing a bow, stretching it to its full length. This original meaning of "to stretch" or "to open" is the foundation for all of its modern uses. When you use it as a measure word for a table, you can picture the table as a flat, "stretched-out" surface.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * **One of the World's Most Common Surnames:** The sheer prevalence of the surname 张 (Zhāng) is culturally significant. It is consistently ranked among the top three most common surnames in mainland China, with a population rivaling that of many European countries. There's a common saying, "三王二张 (sān Wáng èr Zhāng)," meaning "(if you meet five people, there will be) three Wangs and two Zhangs," to humorously illustrate how common these names are. In Chinese mythology, the supreme deity, the Jade Emperor, has the family name Zhang.
  * **Comparison to Western Surnames:** While "Smith" or "Jones" are common in English-speaking countries, the scale is entirely different. In the West, a common surname indicates a historical profession or lineage, but in China, the massive population sharing names like 张 (Zhāng), 王 (Wáng), and 李 (Lǐ) creates a sense of shared, albeit unimaginably vast, clan identity. Addressing someone as "老张 (Lǎo Zhāng)" (Old Zhang) or "小张 (Xiǎo Zhāng)" (Little Zhang) is a common, friendly way to show respect or familiarity in the workplace, reflecting a culture that often organizes social relationships around age and seniority.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **As a Measure Word (量词 liàngcí):** This is the most critical grammatical function for learners. It is used to count objects with wide, flat surfaces.
    *   **Common Nouns:** 纸 (paper), 桌子 (tables), 椅子 (chairs, sometimes), 床 (beds), 票 (tickets), 地图 (maps), 照片 (photos), 脸 (faces), 嘴 (mouths).
    *   **Structure:** Number + 张 + Noun (e.g., 三张票 sān zhāng piào - three tickets).
  * **As a Surname (姓 xìng):** You will hear and see this name constantly.
    *   Formal: 张先生 (Zhāng xiānshēng) - Mr. Zhang.
    *   Informal/Workplace: 小张 (Xiǎo Zhāng) - for a younger colleague; 老张 (Lǎo Zhāng) - for an older, respected colleague.
  * **As a Verb (动词 dòngcí):** It means to open or spread, often followed by 开 (kāi).
    *   张开嘴 (zhāng kāi zuǐ) - Open your mouth.
    *   张开双臂 (zhāng kāi shuāngbì) - Open your arms (e.g., for a hug).
  * **In Common Words:**
    *   **开张 (kāizhāng):** Grand opening of a business.
    *   **夸张 (kuāzhāng):** To exaggerate; exaggerated.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 我给你介绍一下，这位是**张**老师。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ gěi nǐ jièshào yīxià, zhè wèi shì **Zhāng** lǎoshī.
    * English: Let me introduce you, this is Teacher Zhang.
    * Analysis: A standard, polite introduction showing 张 used as a surname. Note the use of the polite measure word 位 (wèi) for a person.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 你能给我一**张**纸吗？
    * Pinyin: Nǐ néng gěi wǒ yī **zhāng** zhǐ ma?
    * English: Can you give me a piece of paper?
    * Analysis: This is the classic example of 张 as a measure word for a flat sheet of paper.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 我们家有两**张**桌子和一**张**床。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen jiā yǒu liǎng **zhāng** zhuōzi hé yī **zhāng** chuáng.
    * English: Our home has two tables and one bed.
    * Analysis: Demonstrates using 张 for different types of large, flat furniture. Note the use of 两 (liǎng) instead of 二 (èr) when counting objects.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 我买了两**张**去北京的火车票。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ mǎile liǎng **zhāng** qù Běijīng de huǒchē piào.
    * English: I bought two train tickets to Beijing.
    * Analysis: 张 is the correct measure word for all kinds of tickets (train, movie, concert, etc.).
  * **Example 5:**
    * 请**张**开你的嘴，说“啊”。
    * Pinyin: Qǐng **zhāng** kāi nǐ de zuǐ, shuō “a”.
    * English: Please open your mouth and say "ah".
    * Analysis: Here, 张 is used as a verb, meaning "to open." This is a common phrase at a doctor's office.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 这**张**照片是谁拍的？
    * Pinyin: Zhè **zhāng** zhàopiàn shì shéi pāi de?
    * English: Who took this photo?
    * Analysis: Photos are considered flat objects, so they use the measure word 张.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 他的故事太**夸张**了，我不相信。
    * Pinyin: Tā de gùshì tài **kuāzhāng** le, wǒ bù xiāngxìn.
    * English: His story is too exaggerated, I don't believe it.
    * Analysis: Shows how 张 is part of a common adjective, 夸张 (kuāzhāng). The idea of "stretching" the truth is linked to the character's core meaning.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 我们的新店下个星期一**开张**。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen de xīn diàn xià ge xīngqíyī **kāizhāng**.
    * English: Our new store will have its grand opening next Monday.
    * Analysis: 开张 (kāizhāng) is a set business term that literally means "open and spread out" for business.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 他看到妈妈回来了，高兴地**张**开了双臂。
    * Pinyin: Tā kàn dào māmā huíláile, gāoxìng de **zhāng** kāile shuāngbì.
    * English: When he saw his mom return, he happily opened his arms.
    * Analysis: Another verb usage, showing the action of spreading one's arms wide.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 他的脸一下子就红了，像一**张**红纸。
    * Pinyin: Tā de liǎn yīxià zi jiù hóng le, xiàng yī **zhāng** hóng zhǐ.
    * English: His face turned red all of a sudden, like a piece of red paper.
    * Analysis: A more descriptive sentence showing that faces (脸, liǎn) can also be conceptualized as flat surfaces and use 张 as a measure word.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **The Most Common Mistake: Using 个 (gè) Instead of 张 (zhāng).**
    * English speakers learning Chinese often default to the general measure word 个 (gè) for everything. This is a dead giveaway of a beginner. It's crucial to learn which nouns require 张.
    * **Incorrect:** ~~我需要一个纸。~~ (Wǒ xūyào yī gè zhǐ.)
    * **Correct:** 我需要一**张**纸。 (Wǒ xūyào yī **zhāng** zhǐ.)
    * **Reason:** Paper is a flat sheet, so it requires 张, not the generic 个. Think of it like a "sheet" of paper in English; you wouldn't say a "piece" of paper if you needed a specific measure.
  * **Distinguishing Verb vs. Measure Word:**
    * The function of 张 depends entirely on its place in the sentence.
    * **Measure Word:** It always comes after a number (or a demonstrative pronoun like 这/那) and before a noun.
      * **Formula:** [Number] + **张** + [Noun]  (e.g., 五**张**票 - wǔ zhāng piào)
    * **Verb:** It comes after the subject and before the object.
      * **Formula:** [Subject] + **张** + [Object] (e.g., 我**张**开嘴 - wǒ zhāng kāi zuǐ)
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * **[[量词]] (liàngcí):** The grammatical term for "measure word" or "classifier." 张 is one of the first and most important 量词 you will learn.
  * **[[个]] (gè):** The general, all-purpose measure word. Understanding when to use 张 instead of 个 is a key skill.
  * **[[本]] (běn):** Another crucial measure word, used for bound items like books, magazines, and notebooks. Contrast this with 张 for single sheets.
  * **[[开]] (kāi):** Means "to open." It is frequently paired with 张 to form verbs like 张开 (zhāngkāi - to open wide) and nouns like 开张 (kāizhāng - grand opening).
  * **[[夸张]] (kuāzhāng):** A common adjective meaning "exaggerated" or "over-the-top." It literally means "to boast and stretch."
  * **[[弓]] (gōng):** The "bow" radical. Recognizing this component helps you remember the character's origin and meaning related to stretching.
  * **[[姓]] (xìng):** The word for "surname" or "family name."
  * **[[名片]] (míngpiàn):** A business card. You would count them using 张 (e.g., 一张名片 - yī zhāng míngpiàn).