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March 24, 2026
鍵jiàn(jian4)
The character 鍵 (jiàn) primarily means 'key' and can also refer to a 'lock' or 'door bolt'. It is commonly used in contexts involving security, such as locking doors or starting vehicles, and can also metaphorically refer to something that is essential or crucial for achieving a goal.
Strokes16Radical釒Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of locking doors with a key symbolizes safety and protection of one's home. Keys are often used as gifts during housewarming ceremonies, representing the wish for security and prosperity.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant key (鍵) that unlocks a door. The character has the metal radical (金) on the left, representing the material of keys, combined with the component that looks like a handle, suggesting how you hold a key to unlock something. Think of 'jiàn' sounding like 'Jan' — Jan has the key to your heart!
Meanings of 鍵
jiàn(jian4)
1lock, door bolt; key
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 鍵
鍵Simplified
16Strokes
釒Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 鍵
Podcast: 鍵
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AI Study Notes for 鍵
Quick Contrast
锁 (suǒ) - use 鍵 (jiàn) when referring to a key, while 锁 (suǒ) refers specifically to a lock itself.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant key (鍵) that unlocks a door. The character has the metal radical (金) on the left, representing the material of keys, combined with the component that looks like a handle, suggesting how you hold a key to unlock something. Think of 'jiàn' sounding like 'Jan' — Jan has the key to your heart!
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 鍵 (jiàn) with the similar-sounding 鉴 (jiàn), which means 'to appreciate or appraise'. This character is generally used in formal contexts regarding security; colloquially, you might just say '钥匙' (yàoshi) for 'key'. Remember to pronounce it with the fourth tone: jiàn.
HSK Study Tips
Since 鍵 is not included in the HSK levels, focus on its practical usages and associations with other words related to security, such as 锁 (suǒ) for 'lock'. This can deepen your understanding of vocabulary around safety and security.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of locking doors with a key symbolizes safety and protection of one's home. Keys are often used as gifts during housewarming ceremonies, representing the wish for security and prosperity.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly write 鍵 with the wrong radicals, such as using the radical for water instead of metal. The correct form has the metal radical (金) indicating it's related to keys.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鍵
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Cultural Notes for 鍵
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of locking doors with a key symbolizes safety and protection of one's home. Keys are often used as gifts during housewarming ceremonies, representing the wish for security and prosperity.
Word Family of 鍵
Words Containing This Character20
关键guānjiàncrux關鍵
键jiànlinchpin鍵
键盘jiànpánkeyboard鍵盤
关键词keyword關鍵詞
按键ànjiànkeystroke按鍵
快捷键hotkey快捷鍵
关键字keyword關鍵字
琴键a piano key琴鍵
化学键chemical bond化學鍵
共价键covalent bond (chemistry)共價鍵
氢键hydrogen bond氫鍵
双键double bond (chemistry)雙鍵
单键single bond (chemistry)單鍵
空格键space bar (keyboard)空格鍵
回车键carriage return回車鍵
电键switch電鍵
键槽key slot鍵槽
肽键peptide bond CO-NH肽鍵
离子键ionic bond (chemistry)離子鍵
色键chroma key色鍵
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 关键 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鍵
You would say '给我钥匙' (gěi wǒ yàoshi) for 'give me the key'. If using 鍵 in a specific context, ensure it makes sense.
鍵 (jiàn) refers to 'key', while 锁 (suǒ) means 'lock'. They are complementary concepts, as a key is used to unlock a lock.
Yes, 鍵 can also refer to something crucial for success, such as 'the key to success' (成功的钥匙).
