Definitions

jīn (noun) gold; metal
jīn (noun) money; currency
jīn (adjective) golden; metallic

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. and represent the meaning and represents the sound. depicts a metal axe and depicts two metal plates.

About

The character 金, which remains unchanged in both traditional and simplified systems, originates as a pictographic representation of metal ore within the earth, with its structure historically depicting a covering over a base containing particles. Its primary meaning began as a general term for metals, particularly those forged into tools or weapons, before specializing to denote the most valued metal, gold. From this concrete sense of gold, the character’s meaning extended metaphorically to encompass wealth, money, and items of great value, while also being adopted as a common surname. Over time, its role in compound words further broadened its semantic field, allowing it to describe anything possessing metallic qualities, such as color or luster, or things considered precious and durable.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢色的太阳。

Wǒ xǐhuān jīnsè de tàiyáng.

I like the golden sun.

很贵重。

Huángjīn hěn guìzhòng.

Gold is very valuable.

他有一枚币。

Tā yǒu yī méi jīnbì.

He has a gold coin.

属可以导电。

Jīnshǔ kěyǐ dǎodiàn.

Metals can conduct electricity.

妈妈买了一条项链。

Māma mǎi le yī tiáo jīn xiàngliàn.

Mom bought a gold necklace.

色的秋天美丽极了。

Jīnsè de qiūtiān měilì jíle.

The golden autumn is extremely beautiful.

因为黄价格高,所以投资要谨慎。

Yīnwèi huángjīn jiàgé gāo, suǒyǐ tóuzī yào jǐnshèn.

Because the price of gold is high, investment must be cautious.

在古老的文明中,常用于制作艺术品。

Zài gǔlǎo de wénmíng zhōng, jīn cháng yòng yú zhìzuò yìshù pǐn.

In ancient civilizations, gold was often used to make artworks.