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March 24, 2026
錙zī(zi1)
The character 錙 (zī) refers to an ancient unit of weight equivalent to half a pound. It is primarily used in historical contexts or discussions about traditional Chinese measurements, often relating to commerce or agriculture.
Strokes16Radical釒
Cultural Note
In ancient China, units like 錙 played a critical role in trade and agriculture, reflecting the importance of precise measurements in economic transactions.
Memory Tip
Think of 錙 (zī) as a 'zigzag' scale that balances a weight of half a pound. The left side, 錯 (cuò), can remind you of the weight's historical significance, while the metal radical 金 (jīn) signifies that it relates to something valuable or traded.
Meanings of 錙
zī(zi1)
1half-pound; an ancient unit of weight
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 錙
錙Simplified
16Strokes
釒Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 錙
Podcast: 錙
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AI Study Notes for 錙
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 錙 (zī) as a 'zigzag' scale that balances a weight of half a pound. The left side, 錯 (cuò), can remind you of the weight's historical significance, while the metal radical 金 (jīn) signifies that it relates to something valuable or traded.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 錙 with other weight measurements like 斤 (jīn), which simply means 'pound.' While 錙 isn't commonly used in everyday conversations, it's important in historical texts. Remember to use it in formal contexts or when discussing traditional practices.
HSK Study Tips
Although 錙 is not listed in the HSK vocabulary, it can be connected to other weight-related words like 斤 (jīn) and 两 (liǎng). Focus on understanding the context of ancient measurements to grasp its usage fully.
Cultural Note
In ancient China, units like 錙 played a critical role in trade and agriculture, reflecting the importance of precise measurements in economic transactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 錙 in casual conversations, whereas it's more appropriate for historical or academic discussions. For example, saying '我买了五錙米' (I bought five 錙 of rice) is incorrect; use '斤' instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 錙
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Cultural Notes for 錙
🏮Cultural insight
In ancient China, units like 錙 played a critical role in trade and agriculture, reflecting the importance of precise measurements in economic transactions.
Word Family of 錙
Words Containing This Character2
锱铢必较to haggle over every cent (idiom)錙銖必較
锱zīancient weight錙
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 锱铢必较 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 錙
You can relate 錙 to 斤 (jīn), which means pound, and 两 (liǎng), which equals one-tenth of a pound.
No, 錙 is considered an archaic term and is not commonly used in contemporary language.
The correct pronunciation is 'zī' with a high level tone.
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