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March 24, 2026
钮(鈕)niǔ(Niu3)
The character 钮 (niǔ) primarily means 'button' or 'knob', often referring to small, round fixtures used for fastening clothing or operating machinery. Additionally, it is a surname, Niu, which is less commonly encountered in everyday usage. In contexts, it can signify both physical objects and metaphorical buttons that initiate actions.
Strokes9Radical钅Frequency#12945DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese clothing, buttons often have significant cultural meanings, with specific styles representing different social statuses or occasions. 钮 is commonly found in discussions about fashion, reflecting both functionality and aesthetics in Chinese garments.
Memory Tip
Imagine a round button (钮) that you press to start a machine. The character itself has a metal radical (钅) on the left, suggesting something metallic or functional, while the right side looks like a hand pushing a knob down, linking the pronunciation 'niǔ' with the action of pushing.
Meanings of 钮
niǔ(Niu3)
1button, knob; surname
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 钮
钮Simplified
鈕Traditional
9Strokes
钅Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 钮
Podcast: 钮
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AI Study Notes for 钮
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 钮 with similar characters like 扭 (niǔ), which means 'to twist'. Use 钮 in contexts involving buttons, knobs, or mechanical features. It's generally neutral in register, but avoid using it in overly formal writing where specific terms for buttons or mechanisms might be preferred.
HSK Study Tips
Although 钮 is not on the HSK list, learners should connect it to related vocabulary involving clothing or mechanisms, such as 按钮 (ànniǔ - button) and 扭 (niǔ - to twist). Focus on recognizing its usage in everyday contexts to enhance vocabulary retention.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 钮 with 扭, leading to incorrect phrases like 钮动 (niǔ dòng) instead of the correct 扭动 (niǔ dòng) which means 'to twist'. Ensure you distinguish their meanings clearly.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 钮
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Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 丑 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鈕.
1The meaning half钅 carries the sense.
2The sound half丑 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 钮? 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 钮?
Decomposition of 钮
IDS Structure⿰钅丑
钮Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
丑Chou3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 钮?
How to say surname Niu in Chinese
“surname Niu” in Chinese is钮niǔ
The character 钮 (niǔ) primarily means 'button' or 'knob', often referring to small, round fixtures used for fastening clothing or operating machinery. Additionally, it is a surname, Niu, which is less commonly encountered in everyday usage. In contexts, it can signify both physical objects and metaphorical buttons that initiate actions.
When to use 钮
Common mistakes include confusing 钮 with similar characters like 扭 (niǔ), which means 'to twist'. Use 钮 in contexts involving buttons, knobs, or mechanical features. It's generally neutral in register, but avoid using it in overly formal writing where specific terms for buttons or mechanisms might be preferred.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 钮 with 扭, leading to incorrect phrases like 钮动 (niǔ dòng) instead of the correct 扭动 (niǔ dòng) which means 'to twist'. Ensure you distinguish their meanings clearly.
Write 钮
钮
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Practice writing 钮 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 钮
钮 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
自动曝光按____安装在镜头脱卸按钮下面，十分不便。
The autoexposure button is awkwardly placed under the lens release button.
