Definitions

aluminum (chemistry)

Etymology phono-semantic

metal

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character for aluminum, 铝 in its simplified form and 鋁 in traditional form, is a relatively modern creation that emerged following the isolation of the element in the nineteenth century. It is structured as a phono-semantic compound, where the metal radical 钅, a simplified derivative of 金 found in the traditional counterpart, categorically signifies its association with metals, while the component 吕 serves as a phonetic indicator approximating its pronunciation. The traditional character 鋁 maintains the full metal radical 金 alongside the same phonetic element 吕. From its origin, this character has consistently referred to the metallic element aluminum, with its meaning remaining specific to this substance without notable semantic expansion or alteration.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

是一种轻金属。

Lǚ shì yī zhǒng qīng jīnshǔ.

Aluminum is a light metal.

这个锅是制的。

Zhège guō shì lǚ zhì de.

This pot is made of aluminum.

合金常用于制造飞机。

Lǚ héjīn cháng yòng yú zhìzào fēijī.

Aluminum alloy is often used to manufacture airplanes.

回收罐有助于保护环境。

Huíshōu lǚ guàn yǒu zhù yú bǎohù huánjìng.

Recycling aluminum cans helps protect the environment.

的导电性能仅次于铜。

Lǚ de dǎodiàn xìngnéng jǐn cì yú tóng.

The electrical conductivity of aluminum is second only to copper.

由于密度小,它被广泛用于航空航天工业。

Yóuyú lǚ mìdù xiǎo, tā bèi guǎngfàn yòng yú hángkōng hángtiān gōngyè.

Because aluminum has low density, it is widely used in the aerospace industry.

表面容易形成氧化膜,从而防止进一步腐蚀。

Lǚ biǎomiàn róngyì xíngchéng yǎnghuà mó, cóng'ér fángzhǐ jìnyībù fǔshí.

The surface of aluminum easily forms an oxide film, thereby preventing further corrosion.

通过电解氧化可以提取纯

Tōngguò diànjiě yǎnghuà lǚ kěyǐ tíqǔ chún lǚ.

Pure aluminum can be extracted through the electrolysis of alumina.