About
The traditional character 鉀, from which the simplified form 钾 is derived, structurally combines the metal radical 金 (abbreviated to 钅 in the simplified version) with the component 甲, which historically signifies armor or a shell. Etymologically, 鉀 originally denoted a type of metal armor or protective plating, directly extending from the core meaning of 甲. During the 19th century, as Western chemical nomenclature was systematically translated into Chinese, this existing character was appropriated to name the newly isolated metallic element potassium, thereby causing its primary meaning to shift entirely from a military object to a chemical element while retaining the same phonetic indication from 甲.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
香蕉富含钾元素。
这种蔬菜的钾含量很高。
钾是人体必需的矿物质。
医生建议他补充钾。
患者需要注射氯化钾溶液。
氢氧化钾常用于制造肥皂。
实验室里存放着金属钾。
这种钾肥能促进作物生长。