zhāng: 章 - Chapter, Seal, Rules, Surname

• Keywords: zhāng, 章, Chinese chapter, Chinese seal, Chinese stamp, rules in Chinese, article, section, surname Zhang, Chinese measure word, what does zhang mean
• Summary: 章 (zhāng) is a foundational Chinese character with several key meanings related to structure and authority. It primarily means chapter or section in a text, but also refers to an official seal or stamp, which is the traditional Chinese equivalent of a signature. Furthermore, it can denote rules or regulations. Understanding 章 is essential for navigating everything from Chinese literature and business contracts to company policies.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhāng
• Part of Speech: Noun, Measure Word, Surname
• HSK Level: HSK 4 (as part of words like 文章 wénzhāng)
• Concise Definition: A chapter, section, seal, stamp, or set of regulations; also a common surname.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 章 (zhāng) as a distinct, organized unit that carries official weight. Whether it's a chapter organizing a story, a set of rules organizing a company, or a red ink stamp making a document official, 章 represents a complete and authoritative segment.

• 章 (zhāng): This character can be seen as a phono-semantic compound. A simple way for learners to remember it is by breaking it down into two parts:
  • Top: 音 (yīn): Meaning “sound” or “music.”
  • Bottom: 十 (shí): Meaning “ten,” which often implies completion or fullness.
• How they combine: You can imagine a “complete piece” (十) of “music or sound” (音) forming a “musical movement” or a “composition” (章). This idea of a complete composition extends to a chapter in a book, an article, or a set of rules.

The most culturally significant meaning of 章 is seal (印章, yìnzhāng). In Western culture, a signature is the ultimate mark of personal agreement and identity on a document. In China, the seal holds that power, and often, even more.

• The Seal vs. The Signature: A personal or company seal, often carved from stone, wood, or jade, is impressed onto documents using red ink paste. Historically and legally, this red stamp (盖章, gàizhāng) is often considered more official and legally binding than a handwritten signature. A contract might be signed, but without the company's official red seal, it could be deemed invalid.
• A Symbol of Identity and Art: Unlike a utilitarian signature, a Chinese seal is an object of art and status. The calligraphy of the characters carved into the seal is a respected art form. For centuries, artists, scholars, and emperors have used unique seals to mark their work and correspondence, making the seal a deep part of China's artistic and bureaucratic heritage. This connects to the value of tradition, authority, and tangible proof in Chinese culture.

• In Writing and Reading: This is the most common usage for beginners. It refers to chapters in a book or sections of a document.
  • `第一章 (dì yī zhāng)` - Chapter 1
  • `文章 (wénzhāng)` - Article / Essay
• In Business and Law: This context is critical. The act of stamping a document is a cornerstone of official procedure.
  • `盖章 (gàizhāng)` - To affix a seal/stamp.
  • `公章 (gōngzhāng)` - The official company seal.
  • `合同章 (hétong zhāng)` - The contract seal.
• As Rules and Regulations: It signifies an established order or system.
  • `规章 (guīzhāng)` - Rules, regulations.
  • `章程 (zhāngchéng)` - Charter, articles of incorporation.
• As a Measure Word: It is used as a measure word for essays and articles.
  • `一篇文章 (yì piān wénzhāng)` is more common, but `一章 (yì zhāng)` can be used to mean “one chapter.”
• As a Surname: 章 (Zhāng) is a common Chinese surname, famously borne by actress 章子怡 (Zhāng Zǐyí).

• Example 1: (Meaning: Chapter)
  • 这本书一共有十二章。
  • Pinyin: Zhè běn shū yígòng yǒu shí'èr zhāng.
  • English: This book has twelve chapters in total.
  • Analysis: Here, 章 (zhāng) is used in its most direct literary sense as “chapter.”
• Example 2: (Meaning: Article, as part of 文章)
  • 我今天读了一篇很有意思的文章。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jīntiān dúle yì piān hěn yǒuyìsi de wénzhāng.
  • English: I read a very interesting article today.
  • Analysis: 文章 (wénzhāng) is a fundamental word for any written piece, from a student essay to a news article.
• Example 3: (Meaning: To Stamp, as part of 盖章)
  • 这份合同需要盖章才能生效。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn hétong xūyào gàizhāng cáinéng shēngxiào.
  • English: This contract needs to be stamped to become effective.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the legal importance of 盖章 (gàizhāng) in a business context.
• Example 4: (Meaning: Official Seal, as part of 公章)
  • 请把公司的公章拿过来。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ gōngsī de gōngzhāng ná guòlái.
  • English: Please bring the company's official seal over here.
  • Analysis: 公章 (gōngzhāng) specifically refers to the official, legally recognized seal of an organization.
• Example 5: (Meaning: Regulations, as part of 规章)
  • 所有员工都必须遵守公司规章。
  • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu yuángōng dōu bìxū zūnshǒu gōngsī guīzhāng.
  • English: All employees must abide by the company regulations.
  • Analysis: 规章 (guīzhāng) refers to a set of rules or bylaws.
• Example 6: (Meaning: Charter, as part of 章程)
  • 在加入协会之前，请仔细阅读章程。
  • Pinyin: Zài jiārù xiéhuì zhīqián, qǐng zǐxì yuèdú zhāngchéng.
  • English: Before joining the association, please read the charter carefully.
  • Analysis: 章程 (zhāngchéng) is a more formal term for the foundational rules of an organization, like its constitution or articles of incorporation.
• Example 7: (Meaning: Medal, as part of 勋章)
  • 他因为英勇行为获得了一枚勋章。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi yīngyǒng xíngwéi huòdéle yì méi xūnzhāng.
  • English: He received a medal for his heroic actions.
  • Analysis: Here, 章 contributes to the idea of an official emblem or mark of honor.
• Example 8: (Meaning: Disorderly, in an idiom)
  • 他的办公桌上杂乱无章。
  • Pinyin: Tā de bàngōngzhuō shàng záluànwúzhāng.
  • English: His office desk is messy and disorganized.
  • Analysis: The idiom 杂乱无章 (záluànwúzhāng) literally means “mixed, chaotic, without order/chapter,” perfectly illustrating the core meaning of 章 as structure.
• Example 9: (Meaning: Musical Movement, as part of 乐章)
  • 我最喜欢这首交响乐的第三乐章。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuì xǐhuān zhè shǒu jiāoxiǎngyuè de dì sān yuèzhāng.
  • English: I like the third movement of this symphony the best.
  • Analysis: This usage connects back to the character's origin related to music and composition.
• Example 10: (Meaning: Surname)
  • 这位女演员是章子怡。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi nǚ yǎnyuán shì Zhāng Zǐyí.
  • English: This actress is Zhang Ziyi.
  • Analysis: A straightforward example of 章 used as a family name.

• 章 (zhāng) vs. 节 (jié): A common point of confusion. Think of a hierarchy. A 章 (zhāng) is a large “chapter.” A 节 (jié) is a smaller “section” within that chapter. A book is divided into 章, and each 章 can be divided into 节.
  • Correct: 第一章，第二节 (Dì yī zhāng, dì èr jié) - Chapter 1, Section 2.
  • Incorrect: 第一节，第二章 (This would imply a section contains a chapter, which is backwards).
• The “Other” Zhāng: Do not confuse the surname 章 (Zhāng) with the far more common surname 张 (Zhāng). They have identical pronunciation and tone, but are completely different characters with different meanings. 张 (zhāng) originally meant to draw a bow, and is also a measure word for flat objects like paper or tables. Context and seeing the written character are the only ways to tell them apart.
• “Seal” is not optional: For English speakers doing business in China, a huge mistake is underestimating the seal. A signature alone may not be enough. If a contract requires a 盖章 (gàizhāng), treat it as an absolute necessity.

• 文章 (wénzhāng) - Article, essay. A word that directly incorporates 章.
• 盖章 (gàizhāng) - To affix a seal. The action associated with the “seal” meaning of 章.
• 印章 (yìnzhāng) - A seal, a stamp. The physical object itself.
• 节 (jié) - Section. The smaller unit that a 章 (chapter) is often divided into.
• 段 (duàn) - Paragraph. An even smaller unit of text, found within a 节 (section).
• 篇 (piān) - Measure word for articles or papers, e.g., 一篇文章 (yì piān wénzhāng).
• 合同 (hétong) - Contract. A typical document that requires a 盖章 (gàizhāng).
• 签名 (qiānmíng) - Signature. The Western equivalent to a seal, important to contrast for cultural understanding.
• 张 (zhāng) - A different, more common character also pronounced “zhāng.” A common surname and measure word for flat things. A crucial “false friend” in written Chinese.
• 规矩 (guīju) - Rules, customs, manners. A synonym for the “rules” sense of 章, but often implying more social, unwritten rules.