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锯 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
锯jūa saw; to saw, to amputateHSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 钅, rank #6161, Hard
锯jūto cut with a sawHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 钅, rank #6161, Hard
锯jùa saw; to saw, to amputateHSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 钅, rank #6161, Hard
锯jùto cut with a sawHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 钅, rank #6161, Hard
jū(ju1)
primary
 T1
  1. 1a saw; to saw, to amputate
  2. 2to cut with a saw
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March 24, 2026
锯(鋸)jū(ju1)

The character 锯 (jù) refers to a 'saw,' a tool used for cutting through materials, especially wood. It can also function as a verb meaning 'to saw' or 'to cut with a saw.' In construction and woodworking contexts, it is commonly used when discussing tools and techniques for cutting materials.

Strokes13Radical钅Frequency#6161DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese carpentry, the saw is an essential tool, reflecting the craftsmanship and precision valued in Chinese building practices. Knowing this character can enhance your appreciation of Chinese woodworking techniques and tools.

Memory Tip

Imagine a giant saw (锯) cutting through a tree. The character's sharp edges resemble the jagged teeth of a saw, and the pronunciation 'jù' can remind you of the sound a saw makes as it cuts. Visualize the action of sawing to help remember its meaning.

Meanings of 锯

jū(ju1)
primary
1a saw; to saw, to amputate
2to cut with a saw
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 锯

锯Simplified
鋸Traditional
13Strokes
钅Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 锯

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Podcast: 锯

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AI Study Notes for 锯

Quick Contrast

锯 (jù) vs 切 (qiē) — use 锯 specifically for cutting with a saw, while 切 refers to cutting in a more general sense, such as slicing or chopping.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a giant saw (锯) cutting through a tree. The character's sharp edges resemble the jagged teeth of a saw, and the pronunciation 'jù' can remind you of the sound a saw makes as it cuts. Visualize the action of sawing to help remember its meaning.

Usage Notes

A common mistake is confusing 锯 with other cutting-related verbs, such as 切 (qiē), which means 'to cut' more generally. 锯 is more specific to using a saw. This word is typically used in informal contexts, but can also appear in instructional texts regarding woodworking or construction.

HSK Study Tips

While 锯 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with other HSK Level 3 words related to tools and actions, such as 刀 (dāo, knife) and 切 (qiē, to cut). Focus on the action of sawing and practice using it in sentences about woodworking.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese carpentry, the saw is an essential tool, reflecting the craftsmanship and precision valued in Chinese building practices. Knowing this character can enhance your appreciation of Chinese woodworking techniques and tools.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 锯 with 切 (qiē), mistakenly using it in contexts where a general cutting action is intended. For example, saying '我用锯切菜' (Wǒ yòng jù qiē cài) is incorrect; it should be '我用刀切菜' (Wǒ yòng dāo qiē cài) to mean 'I use a knife to cut vegetables.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 锯

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Etymology of 锯

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

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 居 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鋸.

Memory Hint

metal

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 锯?

Decomposition of 锯

IDS Structure⿰钅居
锯Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
居ji1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 锯?

Write 锯

锯

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

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Grammar Patterns of 锯

锯 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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 4

Complete the Sentence

你能听到____子锯进骨头里的声音。

You can hear the saw as it cuts through the bones.

Example Sentences for 锯 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
你能听到锯子锯进骨头里的声音。

nǐ néng tīng dào jù zǐ jù jìn gǔ tóu lǐ de shēng yīn。

You can hear the saw as it cuts through the bones.
2
我们必须把这棵老树锯倒.

wǒ mén bì xū bǎ zhè kē lǎo shù jù dǎo.

We shall have to saw the old tree down.
3
他们把那根木材锯成七英尺长.

tā mén bǎ nà gēn mù cái jù chéng qī yīng chǐ cháng.

They logged the timber into 7 - foot length.
4
我在锯木厂找了份工作。

wǒ zài jù mù chǎng zhǎo le fèn gōng zuò。

I got a job at the sawmill.
5
他一直锯到累了才停下来.

tā yī zhí jù dào léi le cái tíng xià lái.

He sawed away till he got tired.
6
你能为我锯棵树 吗 ?

nǐ néng wéi wǒ jù kē shù?

Would you like to saw a tree for me?
7
夏、秋二季锯取鹿茸,经加工后, 阴干或烘干.

xià、 、 qiū èr jì jù qǔ lù, róng , jīng jiā, gōng hòu , yīn gān.

Thein summer or autumn, processed and dried in the shade or bake - dried.
8
他用一把小刷子刷掉细锯末。

tā yòng yī bǎ xiǎo shuā zǐ shuā diào xì jù mò。

Using a small brush, he brushed away the fine sawdust.
9
带锯齿刃的刀

dài jù chǐ rèn de dāo

a knife with a serrated edge
10
把烤面包顶部用锋利的锯齿刀交错切开。

bǎ kǎo miàn bāo dǐng bù yòng fēng lì de jù chǐ dāo jiāo cuò qiē kāi。

Slash the tops of the loaves with a sharp serrated knife in a criss-cross pattern.

Cultural Notes for 锯

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese carpentry, the saw is an essential tool, reflecting the craftsmanship and precision valued in Chinese building practices. Knowing this character can enhance your appreciation of Chinese woodworking techniques and tools.

Word Family of 锯

Words Containing This Character13
锯jūa saw鋸
锯齿sawtooth鋸齒
电锯electric saw (esp. electric chain saw)電鋸
锯子a saw鋸子
拉锯战to-and-fro tussle拉鋸戰
拉锯a two-man saw拉鋸
锯条a sawblade鋸條
锯末sawdust鋸末
锯开to saw鋸開
钢锯hacksaw鋼鋸
链锯chain saw鏈鋸
前锯肌serratus anterior muscle (upper sides of the chest)前鋸肌
钢丝锯jigsaw (saw with steel wire blade)鋼絲鋸
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 锯 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 锯

It is pronounced as 'jù' with a falling tone.