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釵 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
釵chāiornamental hairpinx, 11 strokes, radical 釒
chāi(chai1) T1
  1. 1ornamental hairpin
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

釵chāi(chai1)

The character 釵 (chāi) refers to an ornamental hairpin traditionally used in Chinese hairstyles, particularly for women. It symbolizes elegance and cultural heritage, often seen in historical contexts or during traditional ceremonies.

Strokes11Radical釒
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the 釵 is often associated with beauty and femininity, and it is commonly seen in historical dramas where characters wear elaborate hairstyles during significant events.

Memory Tip

Imagine a beautiful lady with a shiny hairpin (釵) in her hair that shines like precious metal. The character has the radical 钅, indicating metal, which connects to its use as a decorative item.

Meanings of 釵

chāi(chai1)
1ornamental hairpin
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 釵

釵Simplified
11Strokes
釒Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 釵

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Podcast: 釵

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AI Study Notes for 釵

Usage Notes

While 釵 is a specific term for an ornamental hairpin, it is often used in formal contexts, such as literature or discussions about traditional attire. Avoid confusing it with other types of hair accessories, like 发夹 (fà jiā) for hair clips, which are more casual.

HSK Study Tips

Though 釵 is not included in the HSK levels, connecting it with other vocabulary related to traditional clothing (like 汉服, hànfú) can enhance understanding. Focus on the context in which traditional items are discussed.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 釵 with 发夹 (fà jiā), which is a general term for hair clips. Remember that 釵 specifically refers to ornamental hairpins, often used in historical or traditional contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 釵

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Etymology of 釵

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

A metal 釒 fork 叉; 叉 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 釵

  1. 1The giveawayA metal 釒 fork 叉; 叉 also provides the pronunciation
  2. 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.

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

Want the full history of 釵? 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 釵?

Decomposition of 釵

IDS Structure⿰釒叉
釵Full Character
=
釒jin1
left
叉cha1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 釵?

How to say ornamental hairpin in Chinese

“ornamental hairpin” in Chinese is釵chāi

The character 釵 (chāi) refers to an ornamental hairpin traditionally used in Chinese hairstyles, particularly for women. It symbolizes elegance and cultural heritage, often seen in historical contexts or during traditional ceremonies.

When to use 釵

While 釵 is a specific term for an ornamental hairpin, it is often used in formal contexts, such as literature or discussions about traditional attire. Avoid confusing it with other types of hair accessories, like 发夹 (fà jiā) for hair clips, which are more casual.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 釵 with 发夹 (fà jiā), which is a general term for hair clips. Remember that 釵 specifically refers to ornamental hairpins, often used in historical or traditional contexts.

Write 釵

釵

Practice writing 釵 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 釵

Words Containing This Character2
钗chāihairpin釵
薛宝钗Xue Baochai, female character in Dream of Red Mansions, married to Jia Baoyu 賈寶玉|贾宝玉薛寶釵
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 钗 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 釵

There are various types, including 釵 (ornamental hairpins), 发簪 (hairpins), and 发夹 (hair clips), each serving different purposes.

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