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鈽 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鈽bùplutoniumx, 13 strokes, radical 釒
bù(bu4) T4
  1. 1plutonium
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

鈽bù(bu4)

鈽 (bù) refers specifically to the chemical element plutonium, which is a radioactive metallic element used in nuclear reactors and weapons. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation and is primarily encountered in scientific contexts or discussions related to nuclear energy.

Strokes13Radical釒
Cultural Note

Plutonium, represented by 鈽, is significant in discussions about nuclear energy and weaponry in China, particularly given the country's historical context with nuclear development. It reflects China's advancements in science and technology.

Memory Tip

Think of 鈽 as 'bù' (sounds like 'boo') - imagine a spooky nuclear reactor where plutonium is stored, with the character's metal radical (金) hinting at its metallic nature. Visualize a ghost (boo) haunting a science lab filled with plutonium.

Meanings of 鈽

bù(bu4)
1plutonium
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 鈽

鈽Simplified
13Strokes
釒Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鈽

JasonAmy

Podcast: 鈽

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 鈽

Usage Notes

This term is highly specialized and typically used in scientific or technical discussions. Avoid using it in casual conversation as it may confuse listeners unfamiliar with chemistry. Ensure the pronunciation is correct, as mispronouncing 'bù' can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 鈽 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to other scientific terms that may appear in advanced studies. Focus on learning related chemical elements and their properties to build a cohesive vocabulary around this topic.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse 鈽 with similar-sounding characters like 布 (bù, meaning cloth) due to the pronunciation. Be sure to clarify the context when using 鈽 to avoid misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鈽

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Etymology of 鈽

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

metal

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 鈽

  1. 1The meaning half釒 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half布 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 鈽? 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 鈽?

Decomposition of 鈽

IDS Structure⿰釒布
鈽Full Character
=
釒jin1
left
布bu4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 鈽?

How to say plutonium in Chinese

“plutonium” in Chinese is鈽bù

鈽 (bù) refers specifically to the chemical element plutonium, which is a radioactive metallic element used in nuclear reactors and weapons. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation and is primarily encountered in scientific contexts or discussions related to nuclear energy.

When to use 鈽

This term is highly specialized and typically used in scientific or technical discussions. Avoid using it in casual conversation as it may confuse listeners unfamiliar with chemistry. Ensure the pronunciation is correct, as mispronouncing 'bù' can change the meaning.

What learners get wrong

Learners might confuse 鈽 with similar-sounding characters like 布 (bù, meaning cloth) due to the pronunciation. Be sure to clarify the context when using 鈽 to avoid misunderstandings.

Write 鈽

鈽

Practice writing 鈽 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 鈽

Words Containing This Character1
钸būmetal plate鈽
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 钸 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鈽

鈽 (plutonium) is critical for nuclear energy and weaponry, making it a key element in discussions about energy policy and international relations.

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