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鈿 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鈿diànhairpin; gold-inlaid item; filigreex, 13 strokes, radical 釒
diàn(dian4)dian T4
  1. 1hairpin; gold-inlaid item; filigree
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March 24, 2026

鈿diàn(dian4)

The character 鈿 (diàn) refers to a type of decorative hairpin often made of gold and intricately designed with filigree work. It can also denote objects that are inlaid with gold, showcasing fine craftsmanship. This term is commonly used in traditional contexts, particularly relating to Chinese jewelry and accessories.

Strokes13Radical釒
Cultural note

In ancient China, hairpins like 鈿 were not only functional but also served as symbols of status and beauty, often gifted during significant ceremonies. The craftsmanship involved in creating these items reflects the high value placed on artistry in Chinese culture.

Memory tip

Imagine a delicate hairpin (the shape of 鈿) adorned with intricate gold patterns swirling around it, symbolizing beauty and elegance. The 'diàn' sound can remind you of a 'dancing pin' that catches the light, emphasizing its decorative nature.

Meanings of 鈿

diàn(dian4)
1hairpin; gold-inlaid item; filigree
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 鈿

鈿Simplified
13Strokes
釒Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 鈿

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AI study notes for 鈿

Usage Notes

When using 鈿, it is important to understand that it often appears in literary or historical contexts rather than everyday conversation. A common mistake is to confuse it with simpler terms for hairpin, such as 发夹 (fà jiá), which is more commonly used today. Be mindful of the context in which you use 鈿 to avoid sounding overly formal.

HSK Study Tips

Although 鈿 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK 4 and 5 words related to accessories and craftsmanship. Students should focus on recognizing the form and cultural significance of this term while expanding their vocabulary related to traditional items.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鈿 with the more general word for hairpin, 发夹 (fà jiá). Remember that 鈿 specifically refers to decorative, often gold-inlaid, hairpins. A common error is saying '我买了一个鈿' (Wǒ mǎile yīgè diàn) when they mean '发夹' instead.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鈿

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Etymology of 鈿

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

gold

Semantic (meaning)釒
+
Phonetic (sound)田
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

鈿 = 釒 + 田. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 鈿

IDS Structure⿰釒田
鈿Full character
=
釒jin1
left
田Tian2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 鈿?

How to say hairpin; gold-inlaid item; filigree in Chinese

“hairpin; gold-inlaid item; filigree” in Chinese is鈿diàn

The character 鈿 (diàn) refers to a type of decorative hairpin often made of gold and intricately designed with filigree work. It can also denote objects that are inlaid with gold, showcasing fine craftsmanship. This term is commonly used in traditional contexts, particularly relating to Chinese jewelry and accessories.

When to use 鈿

When using 鈿, it is important to understand that it often appears in literary or historical contexts rather than everyday conversation. A common mistake is to confuse it with simpler terms for hairpin, such as 发夹 (fà jiá), which is more commonly used today. Be mindful of the context in which you use 鈿 to avoid sounding overly formal.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 鈿 with the more general word for hairpin, 发夹 (fà jiá). Remember that 鈿 specifically refers to decorative, often gold-inlaid, hairpins. A common error is saying '我买了一个鈿' (Wǒ mǎile yīgè diàn) when they mean '发夹' instead.

Write 鈿

鈿

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Word Family of 鈿

Words containing this character1
钿diànto inlay with gold, silver etc鈿
Exercise 1 of 1

Characters with 鈿

What does 钿 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 鈿

No, 鈿 is mostly used in literary or historical contexts and is not commonly used in everyday conversation.

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