Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
镞 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
镞zúarrowhead, barb; quick, swiftng, 16 strokes, radical 钅, rank #78870, Very Hard
镞zúsharpunknown, 16 strokes, radical 钅, rank #78870, Very Hard
zú(zu2) T2
  1. 1arrowhead, barb; quick, swift
  2. 2sharp
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

镞(鏃)zú(zu2)

The character 镞 (zú) primarily refers to the arrowhead or tip of an arrow, often associated with quickness and sharpness. It is used in contexts related to archery, weaponry, and can symbolize swiftness or precision in action. This character may also appear in literary contexts when describing something that is sharp or pointed.

Strokes16Radical钅Frequency#78870DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In ancient China, archery was a significant skill, often associated with military training and noble status. The arrowhead, or 镞, represents not just a weapon but also the craftsmanship and artistry involved in traditional Chinese archery.

Memory Tip

Imagine a swift arrow (representing the meaning of 'quick') piercing through the air with a sharp tip (the arrowhead). The character 镞 has the metal radical 钅 which relates to the hardness and sharpness of metal, linking to the idea of a deadly arrowhead.

Meanings of 镞

zú(zu2)
1arrowhead, barb; quick, swift
2sharp
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 镞

镞Simplified
鏃Traditional
16Strokes
钅Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 镞

JasonAmy

Podcast: 镞

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 镞

Usage Notes

This character is relatively uncommon in everyday language, often found in more formal or specialized contexts like literature or discussions on archery. Learners might confuse it with similar characters, so pay attention to the context in which it is used. Additionally, remember that 'zú' has a falling tone, which can be tricky for learners unfamiliar with tone distinctions.

HSK Study Tips

Although 镞 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance your comprehension of related words like 'arrow' (箭, jiàn) and 'sharp' (尖, jiān). Focus on recognizing the character in written texts and connecting it with other terms related to speed and precision.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse 镞 with similar characters like 针 (needle, zhēn) due to the metal radical and similar meanings. It's important to focus on the context to avoid mixing them up. For example, saying '我需要一个镞' (I need an arrowhead) instead of the correct '我需要一个箭头' (I need an arrowhead) could lead to confusion.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 镞

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 镞 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 镞

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

metal

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 镞

  1. 1The meaning half钅 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half族 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 镞? 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 镞?

Decomposition of 镞

IDS Structure⿰钅族
镞Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
族zu2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 镞?

How to say arrowhead, barb; quick, swift in Chinese

“arrowhead, barb; quick, swift” in Chinese is镞zú

The character 镞 (zú) primarily refers to the arrowhead or tip of an arrow, often associated with quickness and sharpness. It is used in contexts related to archery, weaponry, and can symbolize swiftness or precision in action. This character may also appear in literary contexts when describing something that is sharp or pointed.

When to use 镞

This character is relatively uncommon in everyday language, often found in more formal or specialized contexts like literature or discussions on archery. Learners might confuse it with similar characters, so pay attention to the context in which it is used. Additionally, remember that 'zú' has a falling tone, which can be tricky for learners unfamiliar with tone distinctions.

What learners get wrong

Learners might confuse 镞 with similar characters like 针 (needle, zhēn) due to the metal radical and similar meanings. It's important to focus on the context to avoid mixing them up. For example, saying '我需要一个镞' (I need an arrowhead) instead of the correct '我需要一个箭头' (I need an arrowhead) could lead to confusion.

Write 镞

镞

Practice writing 镞 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 镞

Words Containing This Character2
箭镞arrowhead箭鏃
镞zúsharp鏃
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 箭镞 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 镞

镞 is mainly used in discussions about archery, weapons, or in literary contexts to describe something sharp or pointed.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 镞?

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.