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锨 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
xiānshoveln, 13 strokes, radical 钅, Very Hard
xiān(xian1) T1
  1. 1shovel
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(鍁)xiān(xian1)

The character 锨 (xiān) refers to a type of shovel used primarily for digging or moving earth and other materials. It is commonly used in construction and agriculture. In this context, it conveys the idea of a practical tool essential for manual labor.

Strokes13RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, agricultural tools like 锨 have been vital for farming and labor-intensive work, reflecting the historical importance of agriculture in society. Understanding this word helps appreciate the craftsmanship and significance of traditional farming practices.

Memory Tip

Imagine a shovel (锨) digging into the earth. The radical '金' (metal) represents the material of the shovel, while '干' (to do) suggests action, as shovels are tools for working. Picture a worker using a shiny metal shovel to dig deep into the ground, emphasizing both its form and function.

Meanings of 锨

xiān(xian1)
1shovel
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 锨

Simplified
Traditional
13Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 锨

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 锨

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a shovel (锨) digging into the earth. The radical '金' (metal) represents the material of the shovel, while '干' (to do) suggests action, as shovels are tools for working. Picture a worker using a shiny metal shovel to dig deep into the ground, emphasizing both its form and function.

Usage Notes

While 锨 is generally used in informal contexts, be mindful not to confuse it with other tools like '铲' (chǎn), which refers specifically to a spade. The tone is crucial; ensure you pronounce it as 'xiān' to differentiate from other similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 锨 is not included in the official HSK levels, it can be associated with Level 3 vocabulary related to tools and construction. Students should focus on related terms, such as '工具' (gōngjù - tool) and '挖' (wā - to dig), to build a broader vocabulary around manual labor.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, agricultural tools like 锨 have been vital for farming and labor-intensive work, reflecting the historical importance of agriculture in society. Understanding this word helps appreciate the craftsmanship and significance of traditional farming practices.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 锨 with similar tools like 铲. For example, saying '我有一个铲来挖土' (I have a spade to dig the soil) when they mean to refer to a shovel is incorrect. The correct sentence should use 锨 instead.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 锨

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Etymology of 锨

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

metal

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 锨?

Decomposition of 锨

IDS Structure⿰钅欣
Full Character
=
jin1
left
xin1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 锨?

Write 锨

Practice writing 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 锨

锨 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

他拿起一把铁____,挖了个坑,将自己曾经珍爱的物品埋了起来。

He took a shovel, dug a hole, and buried his once-prized possessions.

Example Sentences for 锨 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他拿起一把铁锨,挖了个坑,将自己曾经珍爱的物品埋了起来。

tā ná qǐ yī bǎ tiě xiān, , wā le gè, kēng , jiāng zì jǐ zēng jīng zhēn ài de wù pǐn mái le。

He took a shovel, dug a hole, and buried his once-prized possessions.

Cultural Notes for 锨

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, agricultural tools like 锨 have been vital for farming and labor-intensive work, reflecting the historical importance of agriculture in society. Understanding this word helps appreciate the craftsmanship and significance of traditional farming practices.

Word Family of 锨

Words Containing This Character2
铁锨spade鐵鍁
xiānshovel
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 铁锨 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 锨

You can say, '我需要一个锨来挖土。' (I need a shovel to dig the soil.)