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钸 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
钸būplutoniumx, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #34651, Very Hard
钸būmetal plateunknown, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #34651, Very Hard
钸bùplutoniumx, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #34651, Very Hard
钸bùmetal plateunknown, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #34651, Very Hard
bū(bu1)
primary
 T1
  1. 1plutonium
  2. 2metal plate
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

钸(鈽)bū(bu1)

The character 钸 (bū) refers to plutonium, a radioactive metal used in nuclear reactors and atomic bombs. It can also denote a metal plate or a variant of the character 鈈, which also means plutonium. This term is primarily used in scientific and technical contexts.

Strokes10Radical钅Frequency#34651DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In modern China, the study and application of nuclear technology are significant due to the country's investment in energy resources. Plutonium, as a part of this technology, has implications for both energy and security, reflecting China's broader engagement with global nuclear matters.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'bū' (pronounced like 'boo') haunting a metal plate in a lab where plutonium is stored. The 'metal' radical 钅 reminds you that this character is related to metals, while the sound 'bū' can be linked to a ghostly presence in a nuclear facility.

Meanings of 钸

bū(bu1)
primary
1plutonium
2metal plate
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 钸

钸Simplified
鈽Traditional
10Strokes
钅Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 钸

JasonAmy

Podcast: 钸

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 钸

Usage Notes

This character is rarely used in everyday conversation and is mainly found in technical literature. Learners should be cautious with tones as 'bū' is pronounced with a flat tone, which can sometimes be confused with similar-sounding characters. Remember that 钸 is not interchangeable with other metal-related characters in casual contexts.

HSK Study Tips

While 钸 is not listed in the HSK levels, it connects with vocabulary related to chemistry and physics, which might be studied in advanced levels. Focus on understanding scientific terms and their usage in context to improve your technical vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 钸 with other metal-related characters like 钢 (gāng, steel) or 钚 (bù, plutonium). It's important to remember that 钸 specifically refers to plutonium and not to other metals.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 钸

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Etymology of 钸

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

metal

Semantic (meaning)钅
+
Phonetic (sound)布
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 钸

  1. 1The meaning half钅 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half布 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaymetal
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 钸? 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 钸?

Decomposition of 钸

IDS Structure⿰钅布
钸Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
布bu4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 钸?

How to say plutonium in Chinese

“plutonium” in Chinese is钸bū

The character 钸 (bū) refers to plutonium, a radioactive metal used in nuclear reactors and atomic bombs. It can also denote a metal plate or a variant of the character 鈈, which also means plutonium. This term is primarily used in scientific and technical contexts.

When to use 钸

This character is rarely used in everyday conversation and is mainly found in technical literature. Learners should be cautious with tones as 'bū' is pronounced with a flat tone, which can sometimes be confused with similar-sounding characters. Remember that 钸 is not interchangeable with other metal-related characters in casual contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 钸 with other metal-related characters like 钢 (gāng, steel) or 钚 (bù, plutonium). It's important to remember that 钸 specifically refers to plutonium and not to other metals.

Write 钸

钸

Practice writing 钸 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 钸

Words Containing This Character1
钸būmetal plate鈽
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 钸 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 钸

钸 means plutonium, a radioactive element.

Jason Recommends

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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.