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銘 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
銘míngto engrave, to inscribex, 14 strokes, radical 釒, rank #64784, Very Hard
míng(ming2)ming T2
  1. 1to engrave, to inscribe
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March 24, 2026

銘míng(ming2)

The character 銘 (míng) means to engrave or inscribe, typically on metal or stone. It often refers to inscriptions that are commemorative or honorific in nature, such as on plaques or memorials. This word can also imply a deeper meaning or message conveyed through the act of engraving.

Strokes14Radical釒Frequency#64784DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, inscriptions often carry significant weight, as they are used to honor ancestors or commemorate important events, reflecting the deep respect for history and lineage.

Memory tip

Imagine a blacksmith (the radical 銀, which relates to metal) carefully engraving a beautiful message onto a shiny metal plate. The sound 'míng' can be remembered by thinking of a 'mingling' of letters as they are inscribed on the surface, creating a lasting message.

Meanings of 銘

míng(ming2)
1to engrave, to inscribe
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 銘

銘Simplified
14Strokes
釒Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 銘

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Podcast: 銘

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AI study notes for 銘

Quick Contrast

铭 (míng) vs 刻 (kè) — use 銘 when referring to commemorative engravings, while 刻 is more general and can refer to any type of carving.

Usage Notes

When using 銘, it's important to note that it is often used in formal contexts, particularly in literature or when referring to historical artifacts. Common collocations include 銘文 (míngwén, inscription) and 銘牌 (míngpái, plaque). Be careful with the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

While 銘 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects with other words that contain the metal radical, such as 银 (yín, silver) and 错 (cuò, wrong/erroneous). Students should focus on recognizing the radical and understanding its context in formal writing.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 銘 with other characters like 名 (míng, name) due to similar pronunciation. Remember, 銘 is specifically about engraving, while 名 refers to names or titles.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 銘

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Etymology of 銘

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory hint

To carve 釒 one's name 名; 名 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 銘?

Decomposition of 銘

IDS Structure⿰釒名
銘Full character
=
釒jin1
left
名ming2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 銘?

How to say to engrave, to inscribe in Chinese

“to engrave, to inscribe” in Chinese is銘míng

The character 銘 (míng) means to engrave or inscribe, typically on metal or stone. It often refers to inscriptions that are commemorative or honorific in nature, such as on plaques or memorials. This word can also imply a deeper meaning or message conveyed through the act of engraving.

When to use 銘

When using 銘, it's important to note that it is often used in formal contexts, particularly in literature or when referring to historical artifacts. Common collocations include 銘文 (míngwén, inscription) and 銘牌 (míngpái, plaque). Be careful with the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.

銘 or something close to it

铭 (míng) vs 刻 (kè) — use 銘 when referring to commemorative engravings, while 刻 is more general and can refer to any type of carving.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 銘 with other characters like 名 (míng, name) due to similar pronunciation. Remember, 銘 is specifically about engraving, while 名 refers to names or titles.

Write 銘

銘

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Word Family of 銘

Words containing this character14
铭记míngjìto engrave in one's memory銘記
座右铭zuòyòumíngmotto座右銘
刻骨铭心unforgettable刻骨銘心
铭míngto engrave銘
铭刻a carved inscription銘刻
铭文inscription銘文
墓志铭epitaph墓誌銘
郭台铭Guo "Terry" Taiming (1950-), prominent Taiwanese businessman, founder of Foxconn郭台銘
碑铭inscription on stone tablet碑銘
辜鸿铭Ku Hung-ming or Gu Hongming (1857-1928), Malaysian man of letters, highly regarded for his literary works written mostly in English, and known for his monarchist views辜鴻銘
贝聿铭Pei Ieoh Ming or I.M. Pei (1917-), famous Chinese-American architect貝聿銘
铭心刻骨undying gratitude銘心刻骨
罗保铭Luo Baoming (1952-), sixth governor of Hainan羅保銘
铭心镂骨undying gratitude銘心鏤骨
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 銘

What does 铭记 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 銘

You might say: '这块牌子上有一个美丽的铭文' (This plaque has a beautiful inscription).

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