錘 meaning and stroke order
Hammer
How to write 錘, stroke by stroke
16 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 錘
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- hammer
- to hammer into shape
- weight (e.g. of a steelyard or balance)
- to strike with a hammer
How 錘 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Metal.
釒 gives the meaning and 垂 hints at the sound.
Radical: 釒 (gold), shared by 135 characters on this site.
How to remember 錘
錘 combines the metal side 釒 with 垂 (chuí, to hang down), which also gives the sound. Picture a heavy metal weight hanging down from a balance, or a metal hammer head swinging downward.
錘 (simplified 锤) is used for hammers and for the weights on a scale, and as a verb meaning to hammer or pound. In everyday speech people usually say 锤子 (chuízi) for a hammer. Example: 他用锤子钉钉子。(Tā yòng chuízi dìng dīngzi.) He uses a hammer to drive in nails.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 錘 with 捶 (chuí), which has the hand radical 扌 and means to beat with a fist, as in 捶背 (chuí bèi, to pound someone's back). Use the metal radical when a tool or metal weight is involved.
Common words with 錘
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 錘子 | chuízi | hammer | HSK 7-9 |
Questions about 錘
How many strokes are in 錘?
錘 is written with 16 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 錘 mean?
錘 (chuí) means hammer. A common word with it is 锤子 (chuízi), meaning "hammer".
How do you pronounce 錘?
錘 is pronounced chuí, in the second tone (rising).
What is the radical of 錘?
The radical of 錘 is 釒, which carries the idea of "gold". Dictionaries list 錘 under this radical.
What is the simplified form of 錘?
錘 is a traditional character. Its simplified form is 锤, used in mainland China and Singapore.
What is the difference between 锤 and 槌?
Both are read chuí. 锤 is usually a metal hammer or weight, while 槌 has the wood radical and refers to a wooden mallet or drumstick, as in 鼓槌 (gǔchuí).
Can 锤 be used as a verb?
Yes. It means to hammer or strike, as in 锤打 (chuídǎ, to hammer). In internet slang, 锤 can also mean to give solid evidence against someone.