庄 zhuāng village
village; hamlet; manor
How it came to be
A lean-to roof over earth, and no ancient form, because this shape is new. The full form was grass over strong; simplification built a fresh character out of a roof and a plot.
How it is used
- Two senses. A village/manor: 村庄 (cūnzhuāng) village, 农庄 (nóngzhuāng) farmstead, 庄稼 (zhuāngjia) crops.
- 'Solemn/dignified': 庄严 (zhuāngyán) solemn, 庄重 (zhuāngzhòng) grave and dignified.
- Also a shop/firm in old names: 茶庄 (cházhuāng) tea shop, and the banker 庄家 (zhuāngjiā) in gambling/markets. Surname 庄 (Zhuāng).