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砝 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
砝fǎa standard weight (as for a balance)n, 10 strokes, radical 石
砝fáa standard weight (as for a balance)n, 10 strokes, radical 石
fá(fa2)
primary
 T2
  1. 1a standard weight (as for a balance)
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March 24, 2026

砝fá(fa2)

The character 砝 (fá) refers to a standard weight used in balances, particularly in contexts involving measurements and trade. It is commonly used in combination with 砝码 (fámǎ), which means 'weight' or 'counterweight' in weighing scales. This term is important in both scientific and commercial settings where precision in measurement is crucial.

Strokes10Radical石
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese markets, precise measurements were vital for trade, making the concept of 砝 and its usage in weighing scales a significant part of commerce. The use of standardized weights like 砝 is still relevant in modern China for ensuring fairness in trade.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large stone (the radical 石, meaning 'stone') that is used to weigh other objects. The pronunciation 'fá' can be remembered by thinking of the word 'far'—the stone is heavy enough to weigh things that are far away. Visualize balancing a scale with this heavy stone on one side.

Meanings of 砝

fá(fa2)
primary
1a standard weight (as for a balance)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 砝

砝Simplified
10Strokes
石Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 砝

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Podcast: 砝

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AI Study Notes for 砝

Usage Notes

This term is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as scientific discussions or trade negotiations. A common mistake is confusing it with similar-sounding words; ensure you use the correct tone as 砝 (fá) is pronounced with the second tone. Additionally, it often appears in phrases related to weighing and measurement, so familiarize yourself with those collocations.

HSK Study Tips

Although 砝 is not in the HSK vocabulary list, it is related to the topic of measurement, which is present in HSK Level 3 and above. Students should focus on understanding the concept of weight and how it applies to everyday life, as well as its usage in specific phrases.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 砝 (fá) with 罚 (fá), which means 'penalty' due to similar pronunciation. For example, saying '我用罚来称重' (Wǒ yòng fá lái chēngzhòng) is incorrect; it should be '我用砝来称重' (Wǒ yòng fá lái chēngzhòng).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 砝

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Etymology of 砝

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 去 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

stone

Semantic (meaning)石
+
Phonetic (sound)去
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 砝

Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 去 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half石 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half去 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaystone
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 砝? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 砝?

Decomposition of 砝

IDS Structure⿰石去
砝Full Character
=
石dan4
left
去qu4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 砝?

How to say a standard weight (as for a balance) in Chinese

“a standard weight (as for a balance)” in Chinese is砝fǎ

The character 砝 (fá) refers to a standard weight used in balances, particularly in contexts involving measurements and trade. It is commonly used in combination with 砝码 (fámǎ), which means 'weight' or 'counterweight' in weighing scales. This term is important in both scientific and commercial settings where precision in measurement is crucial.

When to use 砝

This term is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as scientific discussions or trade negotiations. A common mistake is confusing it with similar-sounding words; ensure you use the correct tone as 砝 (fá) is pronounced with the second tone. Additionally, it often appears in phrases related to weighing and measurement, so familiarize yourself with those collocations.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 砝 (fá) with 罚 (fá), which means 'penalty' due to similar pronunciation. For example, saying '我用罚来称重' (Wǒ yòng fá lái chēngzhòng) is incorrect; it should be '我用砝来称重' (Wǒ yòng fá lái chēngzhòng).

Write 砝

砝

Practice writing 砝 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 砝

Words Containing This Character2
砝码standard weight (used on a balance scale)砝碼
砝fástandard weight (used on a balance scale)
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 砝码 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 砝

You can say '这个砝码很重' (zhège fámǎ hěn zhòng), which means 'This weight is heavy.'

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