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锷 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
锷èhigh, lofty; sharp; a knife's edgeg, 14 strokes, radical 钅
锷èblade edgeunknown, 14 strokes, radical 钅
è(e4) T4
  1. 1high, lofty; sharp; a knife's edge
  2. 2blade edge
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March 24, 2026

锷(鍔)è(e4)

The character 锷 (è) refers to something that is high or lofty, often associated with sharpness, particularly in relation to the edge of a knife or blade. It is less commonly used in everyday conversation but can appear in literary or formal contexts, emphasizing precision or a cutting quality.

Strokes14Radical钅
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the sharpness of a blade often symbolizes clarity of thought and decisiveness, which can be seen in literature and historical texts where swords and knives carry significant metaphorical weight.

Memory Tip

Imagine a high mountain peak (the shape of the character resembles a tall structure) with a sharp knife at its edge. The knife's sharpness symbolizes the character's meaning of high and sharp. Remember the 'è' sound by thinking of the word 'edge', which starts with a similar vowel sound.

Meanings of 锷

è(e4)
1high, lofty; sharp; a knife's edge
2blade edge
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 锷

锷Simplified
鍔Traditional
14Strokes
钅Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 锷

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Podcast: 锷

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AI Study Notes for 锷

Usage Notes

This character is not commonly used in daily conversation, so learners might misuse it by trying to apply it in informal contexts. It is typically used in more elevated or formal language. Be cautious with the tone, as mispronouncing it can change its meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

While 锷 (è) is not an HSK level word, it can be associated with vocabulary around sharpness and elevation found in HSK 4-5. Students should focus on the nuances of meaning in context, especially in literary texts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 锷 with similar characters like 锥 (zhuī) which means 'cone' or 'awl.' For example, saying '我喜欢锷的形状' (I like the shape of 锷) instead of the correct usage within a more appropriate context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 锷

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Etymology of 锷

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

metal

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 锷

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

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

Want the full history of 锷? 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 锷?

Decomposition of 锷

IDS Structure⿰钅咢
锷Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
咢e4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 锷?

How to say high, lofty; sharp; a knife's edge in Chinese

“high, lofty; sharp; a knife's edge” in Chinese is锷è

The character 锷 (è) refers to something that is high or lofty, often associated with sharpness, particularly in relation to the edge of a knife or blade. It is less commonly used in everyday conversation but can appear in literary or formal contexts, emphasizing precision or a cutting quality.

When to use 锷

This character is not commonly used in daily conversation, so learners might misuse it by trying to apply it in informal contexts. It is typically used in more elevated or formal language. Be cautious with the tone, as mispronouncing it can change its meaning entirely.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 锷 with similar characters like 锥 (zhuī) which means 'cone' or 'awl.' For example, saying '我喜欢锷的形状' (I like the shape of 锷) instead of the correct usage within a more appropriate context.

Write 锷

锷

Practice writing 锷 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 锷

Words Containing This Character2
锷èsharp鍔
蔡锷Cai E (1882-1916), originator of the National protection army of 1915蔡鍔
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 锷 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 锷

No, 锷 is typically found in more formal or literary contexts.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 锷?

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.