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钋 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
钋pōpoloniumng, 7 strokes, radical 钅, rank #44381, Very Hard
钋pōpolonium (chemistry)unknown, 7 strokes, radical 钅, rank #44381, Very Hard
钋pōTaiwan pr. [po4]unknown, 7 strokes, radical 钅, rank #44381, Very Hard
pō(po1) T1
  1. 1polonium
  2. 2polonium (chemistry)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

钋(釙)pō(po1)

钋 (pō) refers to polonium, a rare and radioactive element in the periodic table. It is primarily used in scientific contexts, particularly in chemistry and nuclear physics, and is known for its high radioactivity and toxicity.

Strokes7Radical钅Frequency#44381DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the study of elements like 钋 reflects the country's advancements in science and technology, particularly in nuclear research, which has significant historical implications.

Memory Tip

Imagine a shiny, silver metal (the character 钋 resembles a metal ingot) that has the power to 'polish' (sounds like 'pō') the world but is hidden away because it’s extremely dangerous. Think of it as a beautiful yet toxic treasure.

Meanings of 钋

pō(po1)
1polonium
2polonium (chemistry)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 钋

钋Simplified
釙Traditional
7Strokes
钅Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 钋

JasonAmy

Podcast: 钋

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 钋

Usage Notes

As a scientific term, 钋 is mostly used in formal contexts, particularly in academic and technical writing. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding elements or terms; it is not commonly used in everyday conversation.

HSK Study Tips

While 钋 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can help learners connect with advanced scientific terminology and broaden their vocabulary in specialized fields. Focus on the characters related to elements and their properties.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 钋 with other chemical elements due to the similarity in pronunciation or character structure. For example, mistakenly saying '镭' (léi, radium) when they mean 钋 (pō) can lead to misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 钋

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Etymology of 钋

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

metal

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 钋

  1. 1The meaning half钅 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half卜 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 钋? 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 钋?

Decomposition of 钋

IDS Structure⿰钅卜
钋Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
卜—
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 钋?

How to say polonium in Chinese

“polonium” in Chinese is钋pō

钋 (pō) refers to polonium, a rare and radioactive element in the periodic table. It is primarily used in scientific contexts, particularly in chemistry and nuclear physics, and is known for its high radioactivity and toxicity.

When to use 钋

As a scientific term, 钋 is mostly used in formal contexts, particularly in academic and technical writing. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding elements or terms; it is not commonly used in everyday conversation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 钋 with other chemical elements due to the similarity in pronunciation or character structure. For example, mistakenly saying '镭' (léi, radium) when they mean 钋 (pō) can lead to misunderstandings.

Write 钋

钋

Practice writing 钋 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 钋

Words Containing This Character1
钋pōTaiwan pr. [pò]釙
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 钋 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 钋

钋 is known for its extreme radioactivity and is used in various scientific applications, including as a heat source in space equipment.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 钋?

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.