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March 24, 2026
钢(鋼)gāng(gang1)
The character 钢 (gāng) refers to 'steel,' a strong and durable metal widely used in construction and manufacturing. It embodies qualities of hardness and toughness, making it a fundamental material in various industries. In everyday language, it can also describe something that is unyielding or resilient.
Strokes9Radical钅Frequency#8430DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
Steel is a significant material in China's rapid industrialization and urban development. The term 钢 is commonly seen in the context of major infrastructure projects, symbolizing China's modernization efforts.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant steel beam (钢) supporting a skyscraper. The shape of the character looks like a beam resting on supports, emphasizing its strength. Remembering 'gāng' can be linked to the sound of a 'gong' that rings strong and clear, just like steel’s sturdy nature.
Meanings of 钢
gāng(gang1)
1steel
2steel; hard, strong, tough
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 钢
钢Simplified
鋼Traditional
9Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8430Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 钢
Podcast: 钢
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AI Study Notes for 钢
Quick Contrast
钢 (gāng) vs 铁 (tiě) — use 钢 for steel, a specific alloy known for strength, while 铁 refers to iron, a more basic metal with different properties.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant steel beam (钢) supporting a skyscraper. The shape of the character looks like a beam resting on supports, emphasizing its strength. Remembering 'gāng' can be linked to the sound of a 'gong' that rings strong and clear, just like steel’s sturdy nature.
Usage Notes
Steel (钢) is a common term in both formal and informal contexts, especially in discussions about construction and engineering. A common mistake is confusing it with related words; for example, do not confuse it with 铁 (tiě), which means 'iron.' Be mindful of tone pronunciation; 'gāng' has a high-level tone.
HSK Study Tips
While 钢 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it relates to the HSK 4 level's focus on materials and descriptions of strength. Students should focus on understanding its application in context, especially in phrases related to strength and durability.
Cultural Note
Steel is a significant material in China's rapid industrialization and urban development. The term 钢 is commonly seen in the context of major infrastructure projects, symbolizing China's modernization efforts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 钢 (gāng) with 铁 (tiě), leading to incorrect usage in contexts involving metal. For example, saying '我需要一些铁家具' (I need some iron furniture) when it should be '钢家具' (steel furniture) can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 钢
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Grammar Patterns of 钢
钢 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Don't always leave your pen about or you will lose it one day.
Cultural Notes for 钢
🏮Cultural insight
Steel is a significant material in China's rapid industrialization and urban development. The term 钢 is commonly seen in the context of major infrastructure projects, symbolizing China's modernization efforts.
Word Family of 钢
Words Containing This Character20
钢琴gāngqínpiano鋼琴
钢gāngsteel鋼
钢铁gāngtiěsteel鋼鐵
钢笔gāngbǐfountain pen鋼筆
钢材steel (as raw material)鋼材
不锈钢stainless steel不銹鋼
钢筋steel reinforcing bar鋼筋
钢板steel plate鋼板
钢管steel pipe鋼管
宝钢Baosteel, China's largest steel maker寶鋼
钢丝steel wire鋼絲
钢琴家pianist鋼琴家
钢琴师pianist鋼琴師
炼钢steelmaking煉鋼
走钢丝to walk a tightrope (literally or figuratively)走鋼絲
钢厂a steelworks鋼廠
钢盔metal helmet鋼盔
钢刀sword鋼刀
钢珠steel ball鋼珠
宝钢集团Baosteel, China's largest steel maker寶鋼集團
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 钢琴 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 钢
Some synonyms for 钢 (gāng) include 铁 (tiě), which means 'iron,' and 合金 (héjīn), meaning 'alloy.' However, 钢 specifically denotes steel, which has unique properties compared to these other metals.
Yes, 钢 (gāng) is commonly used in everyday language, especially in discussions about construction, tools, and materials. It's a fundamental term in industries related to manufacturing and engineering.
钢 (gāng) means 'steel' in Chinese. It is a material known for its hardness and strength, commonly used in construction and manufacturing. The character is often used in contexts related to metalwork or industrial applications.
You can use 钢 (gāng) in sentences to refer to items made of steel or to describe something as strong or tough. For example, '这把刀是用钢做的' means 'This knife is made of steel.'
In everyday language, 钢 typically means 'steel,' referring to the strong metal used in construction and manufacturing.
The correct pronunciation is 'gāng,' with a high-level tone. Make sure not to drop the tone when saying the word.
Yes, related terms include 铁 (tiě) for 'iron' and 铝 (lǚ) for 'aluminum,' each with different properties and uses.
