HSK 7, ng, 13 strokes, radical 钅, rank #9266, Very Hard
锤
chuí
to hammer into shape
HSK 7, ng, 13 strokes, radical 钅, rank #9266, Very Hard
锤
chuí
weight (e.g. of a steelyard or balance)
HSK 7, ng, 13 strokes, radical 钅, rank #9266, Very 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#9266DifficultyVery Hard
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.
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.
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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Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 垂 represents the sound. Simplified form of 錘.
1The meaning half钅 carries the sense.
2The sound half垂 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaymetal
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 锤? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
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Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 锤?
Decomposition of 锤
IDS Structure⿰钅垂
锤Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
垂chui2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 锤?
How to say hammer in Chinese
“hammer” in Chinese is锤chuí
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.
When to use 锤
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.
锤 or something close to it
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.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 锤
锤
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Practice writing 锤 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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 3 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.
