previously; in the past; indicates that an action has happened before, often used in combination with [[过|過|guo5]]

Used to indicate that something was also the case in the past or that an action has also happened before

never in the past; has not ever happened; used to negate [[曾经|曾經|ceng2 jing1]]

has not happened before; not yet; used in formal writing to express that something has never occurred or has not happened up to a certain point

paternal great-grandfather; father's grandfather

seemingly familiar; to feel as if one has met someone or seen something before

Zeng Qinghong (1939-), a high-ranking politician in the Chinese Communist Party who served as the Vice President of the People's Republic of China from 2003 to 2008.

Donald Tsang (1944–), also known by his Cantonese name Tsang Yam-kuen; he served as the second Chief Executive of Hong Kong from 2005 to 2012

Zeng Guofan (1811-1872), a prominent Qing dynasty statesman, military leader, and scholar; known for organizing the Xiang Army to suppress the Taiping Rebellion and being one of the leading figures of the Tongzhi Restoration.

it was only a short while ago; just a while before; used to describe a situation that was recently true, often with a sense of nostalgia or surprise

paternal great-grandmother; father's father's mother

(literary) Used in a rhetorical question to mean "when has it ever happened" or "did I ever...", implying that something has never occurred or was never the case.

Having seen the world or experienced the great ups and downs of life; meaning that after witnessing something vast or grand, ordinary things no longer seem impressive. Often refers to having broad knowledge or being sophisticated through experience. From a poem by [[元稹|元稹|yuan2 zhen3]] based on [[孟子|孟子|meng4 zi3]].

the son of one's grandchild; a great-grandson

Zeng Jize (1839–1890), a prominent late Qing dynasty diplomat and statesman; eldest son of [[曾国藩|曾國藩|zeng1 guo2 fan1]]; he served as an ambassador to the UK, France, and Russia, and is noted for negotiating the recovery of Ili in Xinjiang

great-grandfather; specifically one's father's paternal grandfather

used in a rhetorical question to express that something has never happened or was never the case; same as [[何尝|何嘗|he2 chang2]]

Zengzi (505-435 BC), a prominent student of Confucius and influential philosopher; traditionally credited as the author of [[大学|大學|da4 xue2]] and the [[孝经|孝經|xiao4 jing1]]

Qing dynasty military leader (1824-1890); younger brother of [[曾国藩|曾國藩|zeng1 guo2 fan1]] who played a major role in defeating the Taiping Rebellion.

the daughter of one's son's son; daughter of one's grandson

Zeng Gong (1019-1083), a famous writer and historian of the Northern Song dynasty; he was a key figure in the classical prose movement and is honored as one of the [[唐宋八大家|唐宋八大家|tang2 song4 ba1 da4 jia1]]

Zengdu district of Suizhou city in Hubei province

Zengdu district of Suizhou city [[随州|隨州|sui2 zhou1]] in Hubei province

The southernmost point of Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea, consisting of an underwater reef in the Spratly Islands

Zeng Pu (1872–1935), a Chinese novelist, translator, and publisher known for his novel [[孽海花|孽海花|nie4 hai3 hua1]].

(variant form) layered clouds found at low altitudes

something that has never happened before; without precedent

Refers to a story where a virtuous man was falsely accused of murder; used to describe how repeated rumors can make people believe a lie or to describe the danger of false accusations.

Zeng Fanren (born 1941), a Chinese scholar and former president of Shandong University who served from 1998 to 2000.

Zeng Xiaogu (1873-1937), actor and pioneer of Chinese drama in the New Culture style

Used in questions to ask if something has ever happened in the past; similar to [[是否|是否|shi4 fou3]] [[曾经|曾經|ceng2 jing1]]

Zeng Shen (505-435 BC), a student of Confucius also known as [[曾子|曾子|zeng1 zi3]]; he is the presumed author of the Great Learning [[大学|大學|da4 xue2]] and the Classic of Filial Piety [[孝经|孝經|xiao4 jing1]]

maternal great-grandmother; grandmother of one's mother

maternal great-grandfather; specifically one's mother's grandfather (either maternal or paternal)

father of one's paternal grandfather

the son of one's grandson; grandson's son

(literary) Even the strongest confidence can be shaken by persistent rumors; literally "Zeng's mother threw down her shuttle". References the story of [[曾参|曾參|zeng1 shen1]]'s mother who, despite her son's virtue, eventually believed reports he was a murderer and fled her loom.

A disciple of Confucius and father of the philosopher [[曾参|曾參|zeng1 shen1]]; also known as [[曾皙|曾皙|zeng1 xi1]].

great-grandfather on the paternal side

Zeng Xi (born c. 546 BC), also known as [[曾点|曾點|zeng1 dian3]], a disciple of Confucius and father of the philosopher [[曾子|曾子|zeng1 zi3]].

one's great-grandfather and great-grandmother

father's paternal grandmother; formal term for great-grandmother

(archaic) paternal great-grandfather

Having seen the vast ocean, other water seems insignificant; used to describe a person so experienced or well-traveled that ordinary things seem unremarkable. From a Tang dynasty poem by [[元稹|元稹|yuan2 zhen3]]

Literally translated as "no water is wide enough after one has seen the great ocean, and no clouds compare to those over Mount Wu." This poetic expression describes having seen the best of something or having experienced a deep love, such that nothing else can ever compare or satisfy.

Zeng Jinyan (born 1983), a Chinese blogger and human rights activist, wife of dissident activist [[胡佳|胡佳|hu2 jia1]]