Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
砣 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
砣tuóa stone roller; plumb, weightv, 10 strokes, radical 石, rank #32617, Very Hard
砣tuósteelyard weightunknown, 10 strokes, radical 石, rank #32617, Very Hard
砣tuóstone rollerunknown, 10 strokes, radical 石, rank #32617, Very Hard
砣tuóto polish jade with an emery wheelunknown, 10 strokes, radical 石, rank #32617, Very Hard
tuó(tuo2) T2
  1. 1a stone roller; plumb, weight
  2. 2steelyard weight
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

砣tuó(tuo2)

The character 砣 (tuó) primarily refers to a stone roller used in various applications, often in construction or craftsmanship. It can also denote a weight used in measurement, particularly in steelyards, and is associated with the act of polishing jade. The character conveys a sense of heaviness and solidity, reflecting its use in physical tools and weights.

Strokes10Radical石Frequency#32617DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese craftsmanship, particularly in jade carving, the use of stone rollers (砣) is crucial for achieving fine finishes. This reflects the importance of skill and quality in Chinese artistry and craftsmanship.

Memory Tip

Imagine a heavy stone roller (砣) rolling along a path. The character resembles a stone rolling down a hill, emphasizing weight (石) and the action (刀) of polishing or shaping it. Think of the sound 'tuó' like a 'thud' made by the stone hitting the ground.

Meanings of 砣

tuó(tuo2)
1a stone roller; plumb, weight
2steelyard weight
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 砣

砣Simplified
10Strokes
石Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 砣

JasonAmy

Podcast: 砣

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 砣

Usage Notes

砣 is often used in contexts related to construction and craftsmanship, so it's more common in formal or technical language. A common mistake is confusing it with similar characters like 石 (shí), which means 'stone' but doesn't imply the function of rolling or weighing. Be careful with tone, as it is pronounced with a second tone (tuó) rather than the third tone.

HSK Study Tips

While 砣 is not included in the official HSK levels, it can be linked to words related to measurement (like 重, zhòng, meaning 'heavy') and tools (like 工具, gōngjù, meaning 'tools'). Students should focus on understanding its practical applications in relevant contexts, especially in craftsmanship.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 砣 with similar characters. For example, mixing it up with 石 (shí) when discussing tools or weights can lead to misunderstandings. Always remember that 砣 specifically relates to rolling and polishing actions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 砣

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 砣 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 砣

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

Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 它 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

stone

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 砣

Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 它 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half石 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half它 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaystone
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 砣? 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 砣?

Decomposition of 砣

IDS Structure⿰石它
砣Full Character
=
石dan4
left
它ta1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 砣?

How to say a stone roller; plumb, weight in Chinese

“a stone roller; plumb, weight” in Chinese is砣tuó

The character 砣 (tuó) primarily refers to a stone roller used in various applications, often in construction or craftsmanship. It can also denote a weight used in measurement, particularly in steelyards, and is associated with the act of polishing jade. The character conveys a sense of heaviness and solidity, reflecting its use in physical tools and weights.

When to use 砣

砣 is often used in contexts related to construction and craftsmanship, so it's more common in formal or technical language. A common mistake is confusing it with similar characters like 石 (shí), which means 'stone' but doesn't imply the function of rolling or weighing. Be careful with tone, as it is pronounced with a second tone (tuó) rather than the third tone.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 砣 with similar characters. For example, mixing it up with 石 (shí) when discussing tools or weights can lead to misunderstandings. Always remember that 砣 specifically relates to rolling and polishing actions.

Write 砣

砣

Practice writing 砣 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 砣

Words Containing This Character4
砣tuóstone roller
秤砣steelyard weight
碾砣roller
秤砣虽小压千斤for want of a nail the battle was lost秤砣雖小壓千斤
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 砣 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 砣

It primarily means 'stone roller' but can also refer to weights used in measuring and polishing jade.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 砣?

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.