鎭

Phono-semantic compound:

金 (쇠 금, “metal”) — semantic, indicating weaponry or military force.

眞 (참 진, “true, real”) — phonetic, providing the sound.

The sense evolved from “to suppress” to “garrison town” and “ordinary small town.”

Common in place names: e.g. 진주(晉州), 대구광역시(大邱廣域市)’s old name 대구진(大丘鎭).

진압 (鎭壓) — suppression

진정 (鎭靜) — calm, sedation

진통 (鎭痛) — pain relief

진정제 (鎭靜劑) — sedative medicine

Classical Chinese: 鎭 referred to a military town or stronghold.

Modern Chinese: 鎭 (zhèn) designates a township-level administrative unit, with around 21,000 across China.