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錕 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
錕kūna legendary swordx, 16 strokes, radical 釒
kūn(kun1) T1
  1. 1a legendary sword
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

錕kūn(kun1)

The character 錕 (kūn) refers to a legendary sword, often associated with ancient Chinese mythology and literature. It embodies the idea of a powerful and revered weapon, symbolizing strength, honor, and the heroic ideals of warriors in Chinese culture. This character is not commonly used in everyday language but is significant in literary contexts.

Strokes16Radical釒
Cultural Note

In Chinese mythology, legendary swords like 錕 are often associated with famed heroes and their quests, reflecting values such as loyalty and bravery. Such swords are frequently referenced in traditional stories like those of the Three Heroes or in works like 'The Investiture of the Gods'.

Memory Tip

Imagine a grand sword forged from the finest metals, gleaming with power. The character 錕 features the radical for metal (金) on the left, suggesting its connection to precious materials, while the right side hints at its legendary status. Think of a kun (a mythical creature) wielding this sword, making it unforgettable.

Meanings of 錕

kūn(kun1)
1a legendary sword
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 錕

錕Simplified
16Strokes
釒Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 錕

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Podcast: 錕

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AI Study Notes for 錕

Usage Notes

Since 錕 is a literary term, it might not be used in everyday conversation. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with more common words for swords, such as 剑 (jiàn). The character may appear in classical literature or in discussions about Chinese myths and tales.

HSK Study Tips

Although 錕 is not included in any HSK levels, understanding this character can deepen appreciation for classical texts. Students should familiarize themselves with common sword-related vocabulary, like 剑 (jiàn) and 武器 (wǔqì), to better grasp the cultural context.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 錕 with 剑 (jiàn), which is a more commonly used term for sword. For example, saying '我喜欢使用錕' (I like to use a kun) is incorrect; it should be '我喜欢使用剑' (I like to use a sword).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 錕

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Etymology of 錕

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

metal

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 錕

  1. 1The meaning half釒 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half昆 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 錕? 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 錕?

Decomposition of 錕

IDS Structure⿰釒昆
錕Full Character
=
釒jin1
left
昆kun1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 錕?

How to say a legendary sword in Chinese

“a legendary sword” in Chinese is錕kūn

The character 錕 (kūn) refers to a legendary sword, often associated with ancient Chinese mythology and literature. It embodies the idea of a powerful and revered weapon, symbolizing strength, honor, and the heroic ideals of warriors in Chinese culture. This character is not commonly used in everyday language but is significant in literary contexts.

When to use 錕

Since 錕 is a literary term, it might not be used in everyday conversation. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with more common words for swords, such as 剑 (jiàn). The character may appear in classical literature or in discussions about Chinese myths and tales.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 錕 with 剑 (jiàn), which is a more commonly used term for sword. For example, saying '我喜欢使用錕' (I like to use a kun) is incorrect; it should be '我喜欢使用剑' (I like to use a sword).

Write 錕

錕

Practice writing 錕 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 錕

Words Containing This Character2
锟kūnsteel sword錕
曹锟Cao Kun (1862-1938), one of the Northern Warlords曹錕
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 锟 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 錕

錕 means a legendary sword in Chinese culture, representing power and heroism.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 錕?

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.