Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
銬 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
kàoshackles, manaclesx, 14 strokes, radical 釒, Very Hard
kào(kao4) T4
  1. 1shackles, manacles
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

kào(kao4)

The character 銬 (kào) refers to shackles or manacles, typically used to restrain a person's movement. It is often used in contexts related to law enforcement or imprisonment, highlighting the concept of confinement or restriction.

Strokes14RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese history, the use of shackles was a common punitive measure in imperial law, reflecting societal attitudes towards punishment and control. This character embodies the historical significance of restraint in maintaining order.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person being 'caught' (sounds like 'kào') in heavy metal shackles. The character 銬 has the metal radical (金) at its core, symbolizing the heavy, cold nature of shackles, making it easier to remember that it relates to confinement.

Meanings of 銬

kào(kao4)
1shackles, manacles
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 銬

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

Podcast: 銬

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 銬

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person being 'caught' (sounds like 'kào') in heavy metal shackles. The character 銬 has the metal radical (金) at its core, symbolizing the heavy, cold nature of shackles, making it easier to remember that it relates to confinement.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 銬; it carries a fourth tone (kào), which can be confused with other similar-sounding words. This term is more formal and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation. Common collocations include '将某人銬住' (to shackle someone).

HSK Study Tips

Although 銬 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to other words related to law enforcement and restraint, such as '监狱' (prison) and '拘留' (detention). Students should focus on the context in which it is used and its relation to law enforcement vocabulary.

Cultural Note

In Chinese history, the use of shackles was a common punitive measure in imperial law, reflecting societal attitudes towards punishment and control. This character embodies the historical significance of restraint in maintaining order.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 銬 with similar characters due to pronunciation or tone, such as '靠' (kào), meaning to rely on. Ensure you practice the correct tones to avoid misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 銬

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 銬

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

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 考 represents the sound. Simplified form of 銬.

Memory Hint

metal

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 銬?

Decomposition of 銬

IDS Structure⿰釒考
Full Character
=
jin1
left
kao3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 銬?

Write 銬

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Cultural Notes for 銬

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese history, the use of shackles was a common punitive measure in imperial law, reflecting societal attitudes towards punishment and control. This character embodies the historical significance of restraint in maintaining order.

Word Family of 銬

Words Containing This Character3
手铐manacles手銬
kàoshackles
镣铐manacles and leg-irons鐐銬
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 手铐 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 銬

It is pronounced as 'kào' with a falling tone.