Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
铅 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
铅qiānold variant of 鉛HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #8232, Hard
铅qiān>铅[qiān]HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #8232, Hard
铅qiānlead (chemistry)HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #8232, Hard
铅qiānleadHSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #8232, Hard
铅qiānold variant of 鉛|铅[qian1]HSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #8232, Hard
qiān(qian1) T1
  1. 1old variant of 鉛
  2. 2>铅[qiān]
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
铅(鈆)qiān(qian1)

铅 (qiān) refers to the chemical element lead, commonly used in batteries, radiation shielding, and previously in paints. It is important in industrial contexts, especially in metallurgy and manufacturing, but is also associated with health risks due to toxicity.

Strokes10Radical钅Frequency#8232DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

铅 has historical significance in Chinese medicine and craftsmanship, where lead was once used in traditional practices, albeit with an understanding of its dangers. This reflects a broader Chinese historical context of using various materials in arts and medicine.

Memory Tip

Think of the character 铅 as a metal that is 'lean' (qiān sounds like 'lean') and heavy. The radical 金 (metal) shows its connection to metals, while the overall structure suggests weight and density, reminiscent of lead's physical properties.

Meanings of 铅

qiān(qian1)
1lead (chemistry)
2lead
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 铅

铅Simplified
鈆Traditional
10Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8232Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 铅

JasonAmy

Podcast: 铅

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 铅

Memory Mnemonic

Think of the character 铅 as a metal that is 'lean' (qiān sounds like 'lean') and heavy. The radical 金 (metal) shows its connection to metals, while the overall structure suggests weight and density, reminiscent of lead's physical properties.

Usage Notes

In formal scientific contexts, use 铅 specifically when referring to lead in chemistry. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding words; ensure proper pronunciation of qiān with a high tone, distinct from qián (before).

HSK Study Tips

Although not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding 铅 enriches your knowledge of metals and materials in Chinese. Focus on its applications in everyday life and scientific discussions, connecting it with basic chemistry vocabulary.

Cultural Note

铅 has historical significance in Chinese medicine and craftsmanship, where lead was once used in traditional practices, albeit with an understanding of its dangers. This reflects a broader Chinese historical context of using various materials in arts and medicine.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 铅 with similar characters like 钱 (qián, money) due to similar pronunciation. Remember that 铅 refers specifically to lead, while 钱 refers to currency.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 铅

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 铅 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 铅

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

Simplified form of 鉛. Phonosemantic compound. 金 represents the meaning and 公 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

metal

Semantic (meaning)钅
+
Phonetic (sound)几
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 铅?

Decomposition of 铅

IDS Structure⿰钅⿱几口
铅Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
几ji1
top
口kou3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 3

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 铅?

Write 铅

铅

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 铅

铅 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 5 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

一些最高档的酒杯是用____晶质玻璃制成的。

Some of the finest drinking glasses are made from lead crystal.

Example Sentences for 铅 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
一些最高档的酒杯是用铅晶质玻璃制成的。

yī xiē zuì gāo dàng de jiǔ bēi shì yòng qiān jīng zhì bō lí zhì chéng de。

Some of the finest drinking glasses are made from lead crystal.
2
铅是早在古代就已知的金属之一。

qiān shì zǎo zài gǔ dài jiù yǐ zhī de jīn shǔ zhī yī。

Lead was one of the metals known to the ancient world.
3
他捡起一支铅笔，无所事事地摆弄着。

tā jiǎn qǐ yī zhī qiān bǐ， ， wú suǒ shì shì dì bǎi nòng。

He picked up a pencil and toyed with it idly.
4
准备好铅笔和笔记本。

zhǔn bèi hǎo qiān bǐ hé bǐ jì běn。

Have a pencil and notepad ready.
5
把那支铅笔递给我。

bǎ nà zhī qiān bǐ dì gěi wǒ。

Give me that pencil.
6
那处修正已经出现在铅字纸上。

nà chǔ xiū zhèng yǐ jīng chū xiàn zài qiān zì zhǐ shàng。

The correction had already been set in type.
7
无铅汽油每加仑涨了1分多。

wú qiān qì yóu měi jiā lún zhǎng le1 1 fēn。

Unleaded gasoline rose more than a penny a gallon.
8
普通的陶瓷元件分别是钛酸钡和锆钛酸铅.

pǔ tōng de táo cí yuán jiàn fēn bié shì tài suān bèi hé gào tài suān qiān.

Common ceramic elements are barium titanate and lead zirconate - titanate.
9
每个学生应该有一支铅笔和一本拍纸簿.

měi gè xué shēng yīng gāi yǒu yī zhī qiān bǐ hé yī běn pāi zhǐ bù.

Each student should have a pencil and pad.
10
他咬着铅笔头，仔细思考着下一道题。

tā yǎo zháo qiān bǐ tóu， ， zī xì sī kǎo zháo xià yī dào。

He chewed at the end of his pencil, thinking out the next problem.

Cultural Notes for 铅

🏮Cultural insight

铅 has historical significance in Chinese medicine and craftsmanship, where lead was once used in traditional practices, albeit with an understanding of its dangers. This reflects a broader Chinese historical context of using various materials in arts and medicine.

Word Family of 铅

Words Containing This Character12
铅qiānlead (chemistry)鈆
铅笔qiānbǐ(lead) pencil鉛筆
铅球shot put (athletics event)鉛球
铅笔盒pencil case鉛筆盒
铅字type鉛字
铅山县Yanshan County in Shangrao 上饒|上饶[Shàng​ráo], Jiangxi鉛山縣
铅山Yanshan county in Shangrao 上饒|上饶[Shàng​ráo], Jiangxi鉛山
铅矿lead ore鉛礦
方铅矿galena方鉛礦
铅锤bob of a plumbline鉛錘
铅条strip of lead鉛條
铅垂线plumbline鉛垂線
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 铅 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 铅

铅 is crucial in chemistry as it denotes the metal lead, which is important in various industrial applications.