Definitions

zuān (verb) to drill; to bore; to get into; to make one's way through
zuàn (noun) drill bit
zuàn (noun) diamond

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "钻" derives from its traditional form "鑽", a composite character that integrates the metal radical "金" with the phonetic component "贊", originally conveying the specific action of piercing or boring with a metal instrument. In its simplified iteration, the complex phonetic element is substituted by "占", while the metal radical is presented in its abbreviated form "钅", preserving the character's foundational link to metallic tools. Initially centered on the physical process of drilling, the character's semantic range broadened to encompass metaphorical applications, including the intensive examination of a subject or the act of penetrating analysis, and it further developed a distinct nominal meaning referring to a drill or diamond when pronounced with a different tone, illustrating how its core concept of precise penetration adapted to both concrete and abstract domains.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
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

了一个小洞。

Tā zuānle yī gè xiǎo dòng.

He drilled a small hole.

工人用岩石。

Gōngrén yòng zuànjī zuān yánshí.

The worker uses a drilling machine to drill into rock.

石是非常坚硬的。

Zuànshí shì fēicháng jiānyìng de.

Diamonds are very hard.

她喜欢戴石戒指。

Tā xǐhuān dài zuànshí jièzhi.

She likes to wear diamond rings.

探队发现了石油。

Zuāntàn duì fāxiànle shíyóu.

The drilling team discovered oil.

这本书研得很深入。

Zhè běn shū zuānyán de hěn shēnrù.

This book is studied very deeply.

法律漏洞以牟利。

Tā zuān fǎlǜ lòudòng yǐ móulì.

He exploits legal loopholes for profit.

地质学家取了地壳样本。

Dìzhìxuéjiā zuànqǔle dìqiào yàngběn.

Geologists drilled and obtained crust samples.