About
锨, the simplified form of 鍁, is a phono-semantic compound used as a noun for a shovel or spade. Its left-side radical 钅, the simplified form of 金 (metal), indicates the object belongs to the category of metallic tools. The right-side component 欣 provides the pronunciation "xīn" or "xiān", without contributing to the meaning. Commonly used in agriculture and construction, it appears in compounds like "铁锨" (iron shovel). The modern character retains the same structure and function as its historical form in both spoken and written language.