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銼 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
銼cuòcarpenter's file; to file smoothzg, 15 strokes, radical 釒, rank #41471, Very Hard
cuò(cuo4) T4
  1. 1carpenter's file; to file smooth
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

銼cuò(cuo4)

The character 銼 (cuò) refers to a carpenter's file, a tool used for smoothing or shaping wood or other materials. It can also imply the action of filing something smooth, making it commonly used in carpentry and woodworking contexts.

Strokes15Radical釒Frequency#41471DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese craftsmanship, the use of tools like 銼 is crucial for creating intricate wooden furniture, reflecting the artistry and precision valued in Chinese woodworking.

Memory Tip

Imagine a carpenter named 'Cuò' who uses a special file to smooth out rough wood. The character 銼 resembles a tool being dragged across a surface, representing the action of filing.

Meanings of 銼

cuò(cuo4)
1carpenter's file; to file smooth
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 銼

銼Simplified
15Strokes
釒Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 銼

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Podcast: 銼

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AI Study Notes for 銼

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 銼 with similar-sounding words. This term is more technical and is often used in carpentry contexts, so it's less common in everyday conversation. Collocations include '銼刀' (file) and '銼平' (to file smooth).

HSK Study Tips

Although 銼 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be connected to woodworking terms in HSK Level 4 and 5. Students should familiarize themselves with related tools and actions to build relevant vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly pronounce 銼 as 'zhuó' instead of 'cuò.' Additionally, confusing 銼 with similar characters like 刷 (to brush) can lead to miscommunication about the tool's function.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 銼

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Etymology of 銼

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

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 坐 represents the sound. Simplified form of 銼.

Memory Hint

metal

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 銼

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 坐 represents the sound. Simplified form of 銼.

  1. 1The meaning half釒 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half坐 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 銼? 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 銼?

Decomposition of 銼

IDS Structure⿰釒坐
銼Full Character
=
釒jin1
left
坐Zuo4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 銼?

How to say carpenter's file; to file smooth in Chinese

“carpenter's file; to file smooth” in Chinese is銼cuò

The character 銼 (cuò) refers to a carpenter's file, a tool used for smoothing or shaping wood or other materials. It can also imply the action of filing something smooth, making it commonly used in carpentry and woodworking contexts.

When to use 銼

Be careful not to confuse 銼 with similar-sounding words. This term is more technical and is often used in carpentry contexts, so it's less common in everyday conversation. Collocations include '銼刀' (file) and '銼平' (to file smooth).

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly pronounce 銼 as 'zhuó' instead of 'cuò.' Additionally, confusing 銼 with similar characters like 刷 (to brush) can lead to miscommunication about the tool's function.

Write 銼

銼

Practice writing 銼 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 銼

Words Containing This Character2
锉cuòrasp銼
锉刀file (metalworking and woodworking tool)銼刀
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 锉 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 銼

銼 specifically refers to a carpenter's file, while other tools may have different functions or shapes.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 銼?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.