[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Objects-and-Machinery \ #Transportation # 程 chéng schedule; itinerary ## Components [[禾 (hé)]] [[禾 hé]] [[呈 chéng]] ## Meaning Today, the character "程" (chéng) has several meanings in modern usage. Primarily, it still retains its original sense as a unit of measurement, typically referring to a standardized length or distance. Additionally, "程" can denote a program, schedule, or itinerary, especially in contexts like "行程" (itinerary) or "进程" (process). Furthermore, it can signify a degree, level, or extent of something, such as "程度" (degree) or "水平程度" (level of proficiency). ## History The character "程" (chéng) is a phonetic-semantic character. In its oracle bone script form, it consists of the radical "禾" (hé), which relates to grains, and a phonetic component representing sound. In clerical script, it evolved into the character "程." According to the "Shuowen Jiezi," "程" originally referred to the length of ten hairs placed together, which later became a unit of measurement. Ten of these units formed a "分" (fēn), and ten fēn constituted a "寸" (cùn). The character "程" was associated with the sound "chéng." The primary meaning of "程" is a unit of measurement, equivalent to the diameter of ten hairs placed together, later used as a general term for measurement. As a verb, it means to measure or gauge, as in "计日程功" (to calculate and measure achievements over time). ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ? ### Bronze Script ? ### Seal Script ![[程 chéng - sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ? ### Regular Script ![[程 chéng - reg.svg]]