HSK 7, ng, 13 strokes, radical 钅, rank #9266, Hard
锤
chuí
to hammer into shape
HSK 7, ng, 13 strokes, radical 钅, rank #9266, Hard
锤
chuí
weight (e.g. of a steelyard or balance)
HSK 7, ng, 13 strokes, radical 钅, rank #9266, Hard
锤
chuí
>锤[chuí]
HSK 7, ng, 13 strokes, radical 钅, rank #9266, Hard
chuí(chui2) T2
1hammer
2to hammer into shape
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March 24, 2026
锤(錘)chuí(chui2)
The character 锤 (chuí) primarily means 'hammer' and is used to refer to the tool commonly employed in carpentry and metalwork. It can also mean 'to hammer into shape' or describe the process of shaping materials. In a broader context, it can refer to weight in terms of measurement, especially in balance scales.
Strokes13Radical钅Frequency#9266DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese craftsmanship, tools like the hammer (锤) are essential for various artisanal trades, reflecting the cultural value placed on skilled labor and craftsmanship.
Memory Tip
Imagine a blacksmith wielding a heavy hammer (锤) to shape glowing metal. The character resembles a hammer striking down—note the radical on top that suggests action and strength, while the bottom hints at the weight of the hammer itself.
Meanings of 锤
chuí(chui2)
1hammer
2to hammer into shape
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 锤
锤Simplified
錘Traditional
13Strokes
钅Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#9266Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7TOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 锤
Podcast: 锤
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AI Study Notes for 锤
Quick Contrast
锤 (hammer) vs 锤子 (hammer, colloquial) — use 锤 when referring to the tool in a more formal or technical context, while 锤子 is more casual.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a blacksmith wielding a heavy hammer (锤) to shape glowing metal. The character resembles a hammer striking down—note the radical on top that suggests action and strength, while the bottom hints at the weight of the hammer itself.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 锤 (chuí) with 錘 (chuí), which is a variant. 锤 is more commonly used in contemporary contexts. It's often used in both formal and informal registers, but is particularly common in technical or craft-related discussions.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK level 6 word, 锤 connects to other words involving tools and construction. Students should focus on its different uses in context, especially in sentences related to craftsmanship or measurement.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese craftsmanship, tools like the hammer (锤) are essential for various artisanal trades, reflecting the cultural value placed on skilled labor and craftsmanship.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 锤 as 'chui' instead of 'chuí', missing the tonal distinction. Additionally, they may confuse it with related terms like 锤子 (chuízi), which specifically means 'hammer', so it's important to clarify the context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 锤
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Grammar Patterns of 锤
锤 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 4 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
他的独立性是在艰苦的环境中____炼出来的。
His independence had been forged on the anvil of a harsh environment.
Example Sentences for 锤 (10)
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1
他的独立性是在艰苦的环境中锤炼出来的。
tā de dú lì xìng shì zài jiān kǔ de huán jìng zhōng chuí liàn chū lái de。
His independence had been forged on the anvil of a harsh environment.
I used a sledgehammer to drive the pegs into the ground.
3
可以用锤子把抽屉砸开。
kě yǐ yòng chuí zǐ bǎ chōu tì zá kāi。
You could smash the drawer up with a hammer.
4
工人们跪在地上，将小石子锤进去。
gōng rén mén guì zài dì shàng， ， jiāng xiǎo shí zǐ chuí jìn。
The workers kneel on the ground and hammer the small stones in.
5
工具腰带解放了双手，还减少了锤子掉落的风险。
gōng jù yāo dài jiě fàng le shuāng shǒu， ， huán jiǎn shǎo le chuí zǐ diào luò de fēng。
Toolbelts free both hands and lessen the risk of dropping hammers.
6
铁匠正在锤烧红的铁.
tiě jiàng zhèng zài chuí shāo hóng de tiě.
The blacksmith is hammering the red - hot metal.
7
工人把铁锤平了.
gōng rén bǎ tiě chuí píng le.
The worker hammered the iron flat.
8
我们用锤子把它敲平.
wǒ mén yòng chuí zǐ bǎ tā qiāo píng.
We hammered it flat.
9
锤子头是纯银制成的，雕刻着神圣符文，而握柄则被精心地包裹在蓝色的皮革中。
chuí zǐ tóu shì chún yín zhì chéng de， ， diāo kè zháo shén shèng fú， wén ， ér wò bǐng zé bèi jīng xīn dì bāo guǒ zài lán sè de pí。
The hammer's silvery head was etched with holy runs and its haft was meticulously wrapped in blue leather.
10
击晕一位敌人,让他易受到公正之锤的伤害并无法移动或攻击,持续6秒.
jī yùn yī wèi dí rén, , ràng tā yì shòu dào gōng zhèng zhī chuí de shāng hài bìng wú fǎ yí dòng huò gōng, jī ,6 chí.
Righteous and unable to move or attack for 6 sec.
Cultural Notes for 锤
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese craftsmanship, tools like the hammer (锤) are essential for various artisanal trades, reflecting the cultural value placed on skilled labor and craftsmanship.
Word Family of 锤
Words Containing This Character14
锤chuíhammer錘
锤子chuízihammer錘子
一锤定音fig. to make the final decision一錘定音
大锤sledgehammer大錘
千锤百炼the vicissitudes of life千錘百鍊
纺锤spindle紡錘
一锤子买卖a one-off, short-sighted deal一錘子買賣
钉锤nail hammer釘錘
手锤mallet手錘
秤锤steelyard weights秤錘
气锤pneumatic drill氣錘
铅锤bob of a plumbline鉛錘
锤骨malleus or hammer bone of middle ear錘骨
锤骨柄manubrium of malleus (handle of hammer bone), connecting ossicles 聽小骨|听小骨 to tympanum 鼓膜錘骨柄
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 锤 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 锤
Besides 'hammer', 锤 can also mean 'to hammer into shape' and refer to weight in measurement contexts.
You could say, '我用锤子修理桌子' (Wǒ yòng chuízi xiūlǐ zhuōzi), meaning 'I use a hammer to repair the table.'
Yes, 锤 is often used in discussions about repairs, construction, and craftsmanship.
