Meanings of 鍛
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 鍛
Podcast: 鍛
Podcast: 鍛
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 鍛
锻 (duàn) vs 锤 (chuí) — use 鍛 for the process of refining materials, while 锤 refers specifically to the tool used in that process.
This character is often used in formal contexts, especially in technical discussions about metalworking. A common collocation is 鍛煉 (duànliàn), meaning 'to temper' or 'to train,' which can refer to physical fitness or skill development. Be careful with the tone; the first tone in 'duàn' can be confused with other characters.
Although 鍛 is not on the HSK list, it is related to words like 锻炼 (duànliàn) from HSK 3, which means 'to exercise' or 'to train.' Students should focus on the connection between physical and metaphorical uses of the term.
Learners may confuse 鍛 (duàn) with other characters with similar sounds, such as 断 (duàn), which means 'to break.' Always remember the metal radical 钅 in 鍛 to avoid this mix-up.
Pronunciation of 鍛
Drill the tone of 鍛 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 鍛
Simplified form of 鍛. Phonosemantic compound. 金 represents the meaning and 段 represents the sound.
metal
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 鍛
Simplified form of 鍛. Phonosemantic compound. 金 represents the meaning and 段 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half釒 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half段 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaymetal
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 鍛? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 鍛?
Decomposition of 鍛
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 鍛?
How to say to temper, to refine; to forge metal in Chinese
“to temper, to refine; to forge metal” in Chinese is鍛
The character 鍛 (duàn) means 'to temper' or 'to refine,' particularly in the context of forging metal. It is commonly used to describe the process of making a material stronger or more durable, as in metallurgy, but can also apply metaphorically to personal development or skills improvement.
When to use 鍛
This character is often used in formal contexts, especially in technical discussions about metalworking. A common collocation is 鍛煉 (duànliàn), meaning 'to temper' or 'to train,' which can refer to physical fitness or skill development. Be careful with the tone; the first tone in 'duàn' can be confused with other characters.
鍛 or something close to it
锻 (duàn) vs 锤 (chuí) — use 鍛 for the process of refining materials, while 锤 refers specifically to the tool used in that process.
What learners get wrong
Learners may confuse 鍛 (duàn) with other characters with similar sounds, such as 断 (duàn), which means 'to break.' Always remember the metal radical 钅 in 鍛 to avoid this mix-up.
Write 鍛
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 鍛 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 鍛
Compound Meaning
What does 锻炼 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鍛
It can mean to refine one's skills or character through training and experience.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 鍛?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.