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钿 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
钿diànhairpin; gold-inlaid item; filigreeg, 10 strokes, radical 钅
钿diànto inlay with gold, silver etcunknown, 10 strokes, radical 钅
钿diàn(dialect) moneyunknown, 10 strokes, radical 钅
钿diànancient inlaid ornament shaped as a flowerunknown, 10 strokes, radical 钅
钿diàncoinunknown, 10 strokes, radical 钅
钿tiánhairpin; gold-inlaid item; filigreeg, 10 strokes, radical 钅
钿tiánto inlay with gold, silver etcunknown, 10 strokes, radical 钅
钿tián(dialect) moneyunknown, 10 strokes, radical 钅
钿tiánancient inlaid ornament shaped as a flowerunknown, 10 strokes, radical 钅
钿tiáncoinunknown, 10 strokes, radical 钅
diàn(dian4)
primary
 T4
  1. 1hairpin; gold-inlaid item; filigree
  2. 2to inlay with gold, silver etc
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

钿(鈿)diàn(dian4)

The character 钿 (diàn) primarily refers to a type of hairpin, often elaborately designed and sometimes inlaid with gold or silver. It can also denote ornamental items that feature intricate metalwork, particularly in traditional Chinese culture, symbolizing wealth and beauty. Additionally, in some dialects, it is used to refer to money.

Strokes10Radical钅
Cultural Note

In historical China, hairpins like 钿 were not merely functional; they were symbols of status and femininity, often gifted during significant life events like marriages. The craftsmanship involved in creating such items reflects the high value placed on artistry in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a delicate hairpin (钿) that glistens with golden inlays. The radical 钅 (metal) represents its material, while the character's sound 'diàn' can remind you of a 'dazzling' ornament. Picture a beautiful flower-shaped ornament that you would wear in your hair, shining with wealth.

Meanings of 钿

diàn(dian4)
primary
1hairpin; gold-inlaid item; filigree
2to inlay with gold, silver etc
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 钿

钿Simplified
鈿Traditional
10Strokes
钅Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 钿

JasonAmy

Podcast: 钿

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AI Study Notes for 钿

Usage Notes

钿 is typically used in more formal contexts, especially when discussing traditional crafts or jewelry. Learners often confuse it with the more common words for 'money' (钱, qián) or 'ornament' (装饰, zhuāngshì). Remember that 钿 specifically emphasizes the ornamental aspect, not just any type of money or decoration.

HSK Study Tips

While 钿 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your appreciation of Chinese decorative arts. Focus on recognizing the character in contexts related to traditional items and crafts, which relate to culture and history, enriching your overall language experience.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 钿 as 'tián' instead of 'diàn'. Additionally, they might confuse it with similar-looking characters like 铅 (lead), which means something entirely different. Make sure to pay attention to both pronunciation and context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 钿

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Etymology of 钿

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

gold

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 钿

  1. 1The meaning half钅 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half田 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaygold
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 钿? 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 钿?

Decomposition of 钿

IDS Structure⿰钅田
钿Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
田Tian2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 钿?

How to say hairpin; gold-inlaid item; filigree in Chinese

“hairpin; gold-inlaid item; filigree” in Chinese is钿diàn

The character 钿 (diàn) primarily refers to a type of hairpin, often elaborately designed and sometimes inlaid with gold or silver. It can also denote ornamental items that feature intricate metalwork, particularly in traditional Chinese culture, symbolizing wealth and beauty. Additionally, in some dialects, it is used to refer to money.

When to use 钿

钿 is typically used in more formal contexts, especially when discussing traditional crafts or jewelry. Learners often confuse it with the more common words for 'money' (钱, qián) or 'ornament' (装饰, zhuāngshì). Remember that 钿 specifically emphasizes the ornamental aspect, not just any type of money or decoration.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mispronounce 钿 as 'tián' instead of 'diàn'. Additionally, they might confuse it with similar-looking characters like 铅 (lead), which means something entirely different. Make sure to pay attention to both pronunciation and context.

Write 钿

钿

Practice writing 钿 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 钿

Words Containing This Character1
钿diànto inlay with gold, silver etc鈿
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 钿 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 钿

钿 can be used in sentences discussing traditional jewelry, such as '她的头发上别着一支钿' (She wore a hairpin in her hair).

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 钿?

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.