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March 24, 2026
釺qiān(qian1)
The character 釺 (qiān) refers to an awl, a pointed tool used for boring holes in wood, leather, or other materials. It is commonly used in various crafting and manual tasks, especially in traditional Chinese woodworking and leatherworking contexts.
Strokes11Radical釒Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese craftsmanship, tools like the awl are essential in making intricate designs in various materials, reflecting a deep respect for craftsmanship and artistry in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine an 'awl' that resembles a needle piercing through a piece of leather. The character 釺 has the metal radical 钅 (jīn) on the left, suggesting that it's a metal tool, while the right part sounds like 'qiān,' which can remind you of 'keen' – a keen tool for making precise holes.
Meanings of 釺
qiān(qian1)
1awl; a tool for boring holes
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About 釺
釺Simplified
11Strokes
釒Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 釺
Podcast: 釺
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AI Study Notes for 釺
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine an 'awl' that resembles a needle piercing through a piece of leather. The character 釺 has the metal radical 钅 (jīn) on the left, suggesting that it's a metal tool, while the right part sounds like 'qiān,' which can remind you of 'keen' – a keen tool for making precise holes.
Usage Notes
In informal contexts, you might hear this term used amongst craftsmen or hobbyists. Be careful not to confuse it with other similar tools, like 针 (zhēn), which means 'needle.' The tone is also crucial; ensure you pronounce it with the first tone to convey the correct meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As 釺 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, focus on understanding its components and usage in specific contexts. It connects to other tools like 锤 (chuí, hammer) and 刀 (dāo, knife), which are more commonly used in HSK levels, allowing for a practical understanding of tool-related vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese craftsmanship, tools like the awl are essential in making intricate designs in various materials, reflecting a deep respect for craftsmanship and artistry in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 釺 (qiān) with similar-sounding characters. For example, they might mistakenly use 针 (zhēn) instead, which means 'needle.' Remember, 釺 specifically refers to an awl.
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Pronunciation of 釺
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Cultural Notes for 釺
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese craftsmanship, tools like the awl are essential in making intricate designs in various materials, reflecting a deep respect for craftsmanship and artistry in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 釺
Words Containing This Character3
钎子hammer drill for boring through rock釺子
钎qiāna drill (for boring through rock)釺
钢钎a steel drill鋼鐱
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 钎子 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 釺
An awl is primarily used for boring holes in materials such as wood or leather.
It's more commonly used in specific contexts related to craftsmanship rather than everyday conversation.
You can remember it by associating 'qiān' with 'keen', as it's a keen tool for making precise holes.
