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March 24, 2026
鉛qiān(qian1)
The character 鉛 (qiān) refers to 'lead,' the heavy metal element commonly used in batteries, radiation shielding, and as a pigment in paints. It is important in both industrial contexts and when discussing environmental issues related to lead exposure. This word is often encountered in discussions about materials and chemistry.
Strokes13Radical釒Frequency#79930DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the use of lead in traditional crafts and modern industries raises awareness of health and safety, particularly in relation to children's toys and paints. This reflects the broader global concern about lead exposure.
Memory Tip
Imagine a heavy lead weight at the end of a fishing line, pulling it down into the water. The character 鉛 has the radical 金 (metal) on the left, representing its metallic nature, while the right side suggests it is a form of something heavy. Think of 'qiān' sounding like 'can,' as if a can of lead is weighing you down.
Meanings of 鉛
qiān(qian1)
1lead
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About 鉛
鉛Simplified
13Strokes
釒Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 鉛
Podcast: 鉛
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AI Study Notes for 鉛
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a heavy lead weight at the end of a fishing line, pulling it down into the water. The character 鉛 has the radical 金 (metal) on the left, representing its metallic nature, while the right side suggests it is a form of something heavy. Think of 'qiān' sounding like 'can,' as if a can of lead is weighing you down.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 鉛 (qiān) with 迁 (qiān), which means 'to move or change.' This character is used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in science and industry. Common collocations include 鉛筆 (qiānbǐ, pencil) and 鉛水 (qiānshuǐ, lead water).
HSK Study Tips
While 鉛 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to HSK level 4 and 5 words related to materials and chemistry. Students should focus on recognizing it in texts about industrial topics or environmental discussions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the use of lead in traditional crafts and modern industries raises awareness of health and safety, particularly in relation to children's toys and paints. This reflects the broader global concern about lead exposure.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 鉛 as 'qián' with a rising tone, rather than 'qiān' with a high-level tone. Additionally, some confuse it with related terms like 鉛筆 (pencil), which can lead to incorrect sentences.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鉛
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Cultural Notes for 鉛
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the use of lead in traditional crafts and modern industries raises awareness of health and safety, particularly in relation to children's toys and paints. This reflects the broader global concern about lead exposure.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the use of lead has been heavily regulated due to health risks, but in Chinese manufacturing, it has sometimes been less strictly controlled, leading to safety concerns.
Word Family of 鉛
Words Containing This Character12
铅qiānlead (chemistry)鈆
铅笔qiānbǐ(lead) pencil鉛筆
铅球shot put (athletics event)鉛球
铅笔盒pencil case鉛筆盒
铅字type鉛字
铅山县Yanshan County in Shangrao 上饒|上饶[Shàngráo], Jiangxi鉛山縣
铅山Yanshan county in Shangrao 上饒|上饶[Shàngráo], Jiangxi鉛山
铅矿lead ore鉛礦
方铅矿galena方鉛礦
铅锤bob of a plumbline鉛錘
铅条strip of lead鉛條
铅垂线plumbline鉛垂線
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 铅 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鉛
鉛 means 'lead,' referring to the metal used in various applications.
It is pronounced as 'qiān' with a first tone.
It's more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts rather than everyday conversation.
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