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銃 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
銃chòngancient weapon; blunderbusszg, 14 strokes, radical 釒
chòng(chong4)chong T4
  1. 1ancient weapon; blunderbuss
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March 24, 2026

銃chòng(chong4)

The character 銃 (chòng) refers to an ancient type of firearm, specifically a blunderbuss or similar weapon. It is commonly used in historical contexts or discussions about warfare and military history, often evoking images of early gunpowder weaponry.

Strokes14Radical釒
Cultural note

The use of 銃 reflects China's historical advancements in weaponry, particularly during the Ming and Qing dynasties, when firearms began to play a significant role in military strategy.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'chong' (pronounced like 'chong' in chòng) that 'chooses' to fire loudly when you pull the trigger, reminiscent of a blunderbuss. The character itself has the metal radical 銀 (silver) suggesting weaponry made of metal, which ties into its meaning.

Meanings of 銃

chòng(chong4)
1ancient weapon; blunderbuss
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 銃

銃Simplified
14Strokes
釒Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 銃

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Podcast: 銃

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AI study notes for 銃

Usage Notes

This term is rarely used in modern contexts and is considered somewhat archaic. It’s important to use it appropriately, mainly in historical discussions or literature. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with common modern weapon terms.

HSK Study Tips

Although 銃 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, students at higher levels should recognize it when studying historical texts or discussing ancient Chinese warfare. Focus on understanding the context in which it appears and its relation to other historical terms.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 銃 with modern terms for firearms, such as 枪 (qiāng), which is used for rifles and guns today. Always use 銃 in contexts related to historical weaponry.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 銃

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Etymology of 銃

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

metal

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

Origin

銃 = 釒 + 充. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 銃

IDS Structure⿰釒充
銃Full character
=
釒jin1
left
充chong1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 銃?

How to say ancient weapon; blunderbuss in Chinese

“ancient weapon; blunderbuss” in Chinese is銃chòng

The character 銃 (chòng) refers to an ancient type of firearm, specifically a blunderbuss or similar weapon. It is commonly used in historical contexts or discussions about warfare and military history, often evoking images of early gunpowder weaponry.

When to use 銃

This term is rarely used in modern contexts and is considered somewhat archaic. It’s important to use it appropriately, mainly in historical discussions or literature. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with common modern weapon terms.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 銃 with modern terms for firearms, such as 枪 (qiāng), which is used for rifles and guns today. Always use 銃 in contexts related to historical weaponry.

Write 銃

銃

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

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Word Family of 銃

Words containing this character1
铳chònggun銃
Exercise 1 of 1

Characters with 銃

What does 铳 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 銃

No, 銃 is not used in everyday conversation and is more relevant in historical or literary contexts.

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