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鍁 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鍁xiānshovelx, 16 strokes, radical 釒
xiān(xian1) T1
  1. 1shovel
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

鍁xiān(xian1)

The character 鍁 (xiān) refers specifically to a type of shovel or spade used primarily in agricultural contexts. It is commonly associated with digging and moving earth or materials. This character may not be frequently encountered in everyday conversation, as it pertains more to specific trades or agricultural practices.

Strokes16Radical釒
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese agriculture, tools like the shovel have significant importance, symbolizing hard work and the agrarian lifestyle that many Chinese people historically engaged in. The use of specific tools is often tied to regional farming practices.

Memory Tip

Imagine a farmer named 'Shovel Sam' who uses a shovel every day to dig up the soil. The character 鍁 has a component that resembles a shovel (the radical 金, which relates to metal, as shovels are often made of metal). Picture Sam using his shiny metal shovel to work the land as you remember the pronunciation 'xiān'.

Meanings of 鍁

xiān(xian1)
1shovel
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 鍁

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

Podcast: 鍁

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Podcast: 鍁

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AI Study Notes for 鍁

Usage Notes

When using 鍁, it's important to note that it is more formal and specific than the general term for tools. Avoid using it in casual conversations about tools unless in the context of agriculture. Common collocations include terms related to farming or construction, like '土地鍁' (land shovel).

HSK Study Tips

While 鍁 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can help learners make connections to other tool-related terms. Focus on the radicals and components to enhance your vocabulary related to tools and work.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鍁 with other general terms for shovel, such as 铲 (chǎn). Remember that 鍁 is more specialized, so ensure you're in the right context when using it.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鍁

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Etymology of 鍁

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 鍁

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

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Decomposition of 鍁

IDS Structure⿰釒欣
鍁Full Character
=
釒jin1
left
欣xin1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 鍁?

How to say shovel in Chinese

“shovel” in Chinese is鍁xiān

The character 鍁 (xiān) refers specifically to a type of shovel or spade used primarily in agricultural contexts. It is commonly associated with digging and moving earth or materials. This character may not be frequently encountered in everyday conversation, as it pertains more to specific trades or agricultural practices.

When to use 鍁

When using 鍁, it's important to note that it is more formal and specific than the general term for tools. Avoid using it in casual conversations about tools unless in the context of agriculture. Common collocations include terms related to farming or construction, like '土地鍁' (land shovel).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 鍁 with other general terms for shovel, such as 铲 (chǎn). Remember that 鍁 is more specialized, so ensure you're in the right context when using it.

Write 鍁

鍁

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

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Word Family of 鍁

Words Containing This Character2
铁锨spade鐵鍁
锨xiānshovel鍁
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 铁锨 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鍁

鍁 specifically refers to a type of shovel used in agriculture, while other terms may refer to shovels in general or in different contexts.

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