About
The character 钻 is a phono-semantic compound meaning both a drill as a tool and the action of drilling or penetrating. Its left side features the semantic radical 钅 (jīn), indicating metal and classifying it as a metallic tool. The right side provides the phonetic component: in the traditional form 鑽, this is 贊 (zàn, meaning "to support"), simplified to 占 (zhàn) in the modern character 钻 for ease of writing. Beyond its primary meanings related to boring holes, 钻 is strongly associated with precious gemstones, especially diamonds, and is used metaphorically to describe intensive study or deep research.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他钻了一个小洞。
工人用钻机钻岩石。
钻石是非常坚硬的。
她喜欢戴钻石戒指。
钻探队发现了石油。
这本书钻研得很深入。
他钻法律漏洞以牟利。
地质学家钻取了地壳样本。