Meanings of 鍵
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About 鍵
Podcast: 鍵
Podcast: 鍵
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AI Study Notes for 鍵
锁 (suǒ) - use 鍵 (jiàn) when referring to a key, while 锁 (suǒ) refers specifically to a lock itself.
Be careful not to confuse 鍵 (jiàn) with the similar-sounding 鉴 (jiàn), which means 'to appreciate or appraise'. This character is generally used in formal contexts regarding security; colloquially, you might just say '钥匙' (yàoshi) for 'key'. Remember to pronounce it with the fourth tone: jiàn.
Since 鍵 is not included in the HSK levels, focus on its practical usages and associations with other words related to security, such as 锁 (suǒ) for 'lock'. This can deepen your understanding of vocabulary around safety and security.
Learners often mistakenly write 鍵 with the wrong radicals, such as using the radical for water instead of metal. The correct form has the metal radical (金) indicating it's related to keys.
Pronunciation of 鍵
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Etymology of 鍵
Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 建 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鍵.
metal
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 鍵
Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 建 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鍵.
- 1The meaning half釒 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half建 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaymetal
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 鍵? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 鍵
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How to say lock, door bolt; key in Chinese
“lock, door bolt; key” in Chinese is鍵
The character 鍵 (jiàn) primarily means 'key' and can also refer to a 'lock' or 'door bolt'. It is commonly used in contexts involving security, such as locking doors or starting vehicles, and can also metaphorically refer to something that is essential or crucial for achieving a goal.
When to use 鍵
Be careful not to confuse 鍵 (jiàn) with the similar-sounding 鉴 (jiàn), which means 'to appreciate or appraise'. This character is generally used in formal contexts regarding security; colloquially, you might just say '钥匙' (yàoshi) for 'key'. Remember to pronounce it with the fourth tone: jiàn.
鍵 or something close to it
锁 (suǒ) - use 鍵 (jiàn) when referring to a key, while 锁 (suǒ) refers specifically to a lock itself.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly write 鍵 with the wrong radicals, such as using the radical for water instead of metal. The correct form has the metal radical (金) indicating it's related to keys.
Write 鍵
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Practice writing 鍵 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 鍵
Compound Meaning
What does 关键 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鍵
You would say '给我钥匙' (gěi wǒ yàoshi) for 'give me the key'. If using 鍵 in a specific context, ensure it makes sense.
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