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钎 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
钎qiānawl; a tool for boring holesng, 8 strokes, radical 钅, rank #84187, Very Hard
钎qiāna drill (for boring through rock)unknown, 8 strokes, radical 钅, rank #84187, Very Hard
qiān(qian1) T1
  1. 1awl; a tool for boring holes
  2. 2a drill (for boring through rock)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

钎(釺)qiān(qian1)

The character 钎 (qiān) refers to a specific type of tool used for boring holes, particularly in harder materials such as wood or rock. It is commonly associated with drilling or creating openings, making it relevant in construction and craftsmanship contexts.

Strokes8Radical钅Frequency#84187DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese craftsmanship, tools like 钎 were essential for creating intricate wooden structures, reflecting the value placed on skilled labor and precision in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a sturdy drill (qiān) piercing through rock, forming a perfect hole. The radical 钅 (metal) suggests this tool's strong, metallic nature, while the sound 'qiān' can remind you of a keen edge—like a sharp awl ready to create openings.

Meanings of 钎

qiān(qian1)
1awl; a tool for boring holes
2a drill (for boring through rock)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 钎

钎Simplified
釺Traditional
8Strokes
钅Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 钎

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Podcast: 钎

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 钎

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 钎 (qiān) with similar-sounding characters like 千 (qiān, thousand), as the contexts are very different. This character is more commonly used in technical or specialized discussions rather than everyday conversations.

HSK Study Tips

Though 钎 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to tools and construction terms relevant in HSK Level 3-4. Focus on understanding related material and tool vocabulary to enhance your practical language skills.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 钎 (qiān) with 钢 (gāng, steel) due to the similar radical. Remember that 钎 refers specifically to a drilling tool, while 钢 refers to the material itself.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 钎

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Etymology of 钎

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A metal 钅 awl 千; 千 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 钎

  1. 1The giveawayA metal 钅 awl 千; 千 also provides the pronunciation
  2. 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 钎? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 钎?

Decomposition of 钎

IDS Structure⿰钅千
钎Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
千qian1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 钎?

How to say awl; a tool for boring holes in Chinese

“awl; a tool for boring holes” in Chinese is钎qiān

The character 钎 (qiān) refers to a specific type of tool used for boring holes, particularly in harder materials such as wood or rock. It is commonly associated with drilling or creating openings, making it relevant in construction and craftsmanship contexts.

When to use 钎

Be cautious not to confuse 钎 (qiān) with similar-sounding characters like 千 (qiān, thousand), as the contexts are very different. This character is more commonly used in technical or specialized discussions rather than everyday conversations.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 钎 (qiān) with 钢 (gāng, steel) due to the similar radical. Remember that 钎 refers specifically to a drilling tool, while 钢 refers to the material itself.

Write 钎

钎

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 钎

Words Containing This Character3
钎子hammer drill for boring through rock釺子
钎qiāna drill (for boring through rock)釺
钢钎a steel drill鋼鐱
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 钎子 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 钎

钎 specifically refers to a type of awl or drill used for creating holes, while other terms might refer to more general drilling equipment.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 钎?

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.