Definitions

qiān (noun) lead (chemical element)

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 铅, derived from the traditional form 鉛, consists of the metal radical 钅 on the left, indicating it belongs to the category of metals or minerals, and the component 㕣 on the right, which provides its phonetic element. Originally, it refers to the dense, malleable element lead, used historically in various metalworking and manufacturing contexts. Beyond the raw metal, the character is also commonly linked to writing instruments, especially graphite pencils, stemming from the old belief that pencil cores contained lead. This extended meaning appears in modern terms related to stationery and drawing tools.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢用笔写字。

Wǒ xǐhuān yòng qiānbǐ xiězì.

I like to write with a pencil.

他正在扔球。

Tā zhèngzài rēng qiānqiú.

He is throwing the shot put.

这支笔的芯断了。

Zhè zhī qiānbǐ de qiānxīn duàn le.

The lead of this pencil is broken.

是一种重金属。

Qiān shì yī zhǒng zhòng jīnshǔ.

Lead is a heavy metal.

污染对健康有害。

Qiān wūrǎn duì jiànkāng yǒuhài.

Lead pollution is harmful to health.

汽车使用蓄电池。

Qìchē shǐyòng qiān xùdiànchí.

Cars use lead-acid batteries.

的密度比铁大。

Qiān de mìdù bǐ tiě dà.

The density of lead is greater than that of iron.

开采矿会破坏环境。

Kāicǎi qiānkuàng huì pòhuài huánjìng.

Mining lead ore can damage the environment.