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銅 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
銅tóngcopper, bronzex, 14 strokes, radical 釒
tóng(tong2)tong T2
  1. 1copper, bronze
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March 24, 2026

銅tóng(tong2)

The character 銅 (tóng) refers to copper or bronze, which are essential metals used in various applications, including construction, electrical wiring, and artistic endeavors. Commonly found in discussions about materials, metallurgy, and economics, it embodies both a physical substance and cultural significance, as copper is historically associated with tools and currency.

Strokes14Radical釒
Cultural note

Copper has played a significant role in Chinese history, especially during the Bronze Age, when it was used to create tools and ceremonial vessels. This historical significance adds depth to the understanding of the character 銅.

Memory tip

Imagine a shining bronze statue (銅) that is so brilliant it reflects the light around it. The character features the radical for metal (金) on the left, indicating its connection to materials. You can remember 'tóng' by picturing a 'ton' of copper being mined.

Meanings of 銅

tóng(tong2)
1copper, bronze
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 銅 means.

About 銅

銅Simplified
14Strokes
釒Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 銅

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Podcast: 銅

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AI study notes for 銅

Quick Contrast

铝 (lǚ) - use 銅 when referring to copper or bronze specifically, while 铝 denotes aluminum, a different metal.

Usage Notes

When using 銅, be mindful of its context; it is often discussed in technical or economic terms. A common mistake is to confuse it with other metal-related characters like 金 (gold) or 鐵 (iron). Always use the correct context to avoid ambiguity.

HSK Study Tips

While 銅 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects to other material-related terms at higher levels. Focus on recognizing the metal radical (金) to help identify similar characters. Practice using it in sentences about materials.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 銅 (copper) with 鐵 (iron) due to their similar usage in discussions about metals. Remember, 銅 is specifically for copper and bronze, while 鐵 refers to iron.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 銅

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Etymology of 銅

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

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 同 represents the sound. Simplified form of 銅.

Memory hint

metal

Semantic (meaning)釒
+
Phonetic (sound)同
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

銅 = 釒 + 同. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 銅

IDS Structure⿰釒同
銅Full character
=
釒jin1
left
同tong2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 銅?

How to say copper, bronze in Chinese

“copper, bronze” in Chinese is銅tóng

The character 銅 (tóng) refers to copper or bronze, which are essential metals used in various applications, including construction, electrical wiring, and artistic endeavors. Commonly found in discussions about materials, metallurgy, and economics, it embodies both a physical substance and cultural significance, as copper is historically associated with tools and currency.

When to use 銅

When using 銅, be mindful of its context; it is often discussed in technical or economic terms. A common mistake is to confuse it with other metal-related characters like 金 (gold) or 鐵 (iron). Always use the correct context to avoid ambiguity.

銅 or something close to it

铝 (lǚ) - use 銅 when referring to copper or bronze specifically, while 铝 denotes aluminum, a different metal.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 銅 (copper) with 鐵 (iron) due to their similar usage in discussions about metals. Remember, 銅 is specifically for copper and bronze, while 鐵 refers to iron.

Write 銅

銅

Practice writing 銅 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 銅

Words containing this character18
铜tóngcopper (chemistry)銅
青铜qīngtóngbronze (alloy of copper 銅|铜 and tin 錫|锡[xī])青銅
铜板tóngbǎncopper coin銅板
铜牌tóngpáibronze medal銅牌
黄铜huángtóngbrass (alloy of copper 銅|铜[tóng] and zinc 鋅|锌[xīn])黃銅
古铜色gǔtóngsèbronze color古銅色
铜矿tóngkuàngcopper mine銅礦
铜像tóngxiàngbronze statue銅像
青铜器qīngtóngqìbronze implement青銅器
铜管tóngguǎnbrass instrument (music)銅管
铜器tóngqìcopper ware銅器
铜墙铁壁tóngqiángtiěbìcopper wall, iron bastion (idiom); impenetrable defense銅牆鐵壁
铜锣tóngluóTongluo or Tunglo township in Miaoli county 苗栗縣|苗栗县[Miáo​lì​xiàn], northwest Taiwan銅鑼
铜仁tóngrénTongren city and prefecture in Guizhou銅仁
铜陵tónglíngTongling prefecture level city and county in Anhui銅陵
铜鼓tónggǔbronze drum銅鼓
铜仁地区tóngréndìqūTongren prefecture in Guizhou銅仁地區
铜川tóngchuānTongchuan prefecture level city in Shaanxi銅川
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 銅

What does 铜 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 銅

It is pronounced tóng, with a rising tone.

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