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锲 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
锲qièto cuti, 14 strokes, radical 钅, rank #59861, Very Hard
锲qièto carvei, 14 strokes, radical 钅, rank #59861, Very Hard
锲qièto engravei, 14 strokes, radical 钅, rank #59861, Very Hard
锲qièto chiseli, 14 strokes, radical 钅, rank #59861, Very Hard
锲qièfig. to chisel away ati, 14 strokes, radical 钅, rank #59861, Very Hard
锲qièsickle; to cut, to carve, to engravei, 14 strokes, radical 钅, rank #59861, Very Hard
qiè(qie4)qie T4
  1. 1to cut
  2. 2to carve
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March 24, 2026

锲(鍥)qiè(qie4)

The character 锲 (qiè) primarily means to cut, carve, or engrave, often in a meticulous manner. It is commonly used in contexts involving craftsmanship, art, or the careful shaping of materials. Additionally, it carries a figurative meaning of gradually working at something or chiseling away at an idea or task.

Strokes14Radical钅Frequency#59861DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese craftsmanship, the art of engraving and carving is highly valued, often seen in jade and stone works. The concept of 锲 connects to the appreciation of patience and precision in Chinese art forms.

Memory Tip

Imagine a sculptor chiseling away at a stone block to reveal a statue. The character 锲, with its metal radical (金) suggesting tools, evokes the image of a chisel used in this carving process, linking to its pronunciation 'qiè' which sounds like 'cutting' in English.

Meanings of 锲

qiè(qie4)
1to cut
2to carve
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 锲

锲Simplified
鍥Traditional
14Strokes
钅Radical
成语chéngyǔidiom (id.)Part of Speech
#59861Frequency Rank

Podcast: 锲

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Podcast: 锲

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AI Study Notes for 锲

Quick Contrast

刻 (kè) — use 锲 (qiè) when emphasizing a careful or meticulous carving process, while 刻 (kè) generally refers to the act of cutting or engraving without the same nuance of precision.

Usage Notes

Learners should be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 锲, as it is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone). It is often used in formal contexts, especially when discussing art or craftsmanship. Common collocations include 锲而不舍 (qiè ér bù shě), meaning to work diligently without giving up.

HSK Study Tips

While 锲 is not included in the HSK levels, students should focus on its connections to other verbs describing actions (like 切, qiē, to cut) to build a broader vocabulary related to physical actions. Understanding the nuance between different types of 'cutting' can enhance comprehension.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 锲 with 切, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我用锲切苹果' (wǒ yòng qiè qiē píngguǒ) is incorrect; the correct phrase is '我用刀切苹果' (wǒ yòng dāo qiē píngguǒ), meaning 'I use a knife to cut the apple.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 锲

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Etymology of 锲

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

Something engraved 契 in metal 钅; 契 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 锲?

Decomposition of 锲

IDS Structure⿰钅契
锲Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
契qi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 锲?

How to say to cut in Chinese

“to cut” in Chinese is锲qiè

The character 锲 (qiè) primarily means to cut, carve, or engrave, often in a meticulous manner. It is commonly used in contexts involving craftsmanship, art, or the careful shaping of materials. Additionally, it carries a figurative meaning of gradually working at something or chiseling away at an idea or task.

When to use 锲

Learners should be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 锲, as it is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone). It is often used in formal contexts, especially when discussing art or craftsmanship. Common collocations include 锲而不舍 (qiè ér bù shě), meaning to work diligently without giving up.

锲 or something close to it

刻 (kè) — use 锲 (qiè) when emphasizing a careful or meticulous carving process, while 刻 (kè) generally refers to the act of cutting or engraving without the same nuance of precision.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 锲 with 切, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我用锲切苹果' (wǒ yòng qiè qiē píngguǒ) is incorrect; the correct phrase is '我用刀切苹果' (wǒ yòng dāo qiē píngguǒ), meaning 'I use a knife to cut the apple.'

Write 锲

锲

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

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Word Family of 锲

Words Containing This Character2
锲而不舍qiè’érbùshěto persevere鍥而不捨
锲qièto cut鍥
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 锲

What does 锲而不舍 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 锲

While 锲 (qiè) emphasizes the act of carving or engraving, 切 (qiē) generally refers to cutting in a more straightforward manner. 锲 involves artistry, whereas 切 can be more practical.

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