About
The character "钾", denoting the metallic element potassium, is a phono-semantic compound formed from the semantic radical "钅", indicating its metallic nature, and the phonetic component "甲", which guides its modern pronunciation. Its traditional form, "鉀", follows an identical structural logic but employs the unsimplified metal radical "金". While the character "鉀" occasionally appeared in classical contexts with meanings related to armor or metal components, this usage was not widespread. The character's primary meaning shifted decisively during the period of scientific exchange, when it was adopted to translate the newly isolated element, its sound approximating the initial syllable of "kalium", the Latin term from which the chemical symbol K is derived. This appropriation established "钾" as a dedicated technical term within chemical nomenclature, effectively narrowing its earlier vague associations to a precise, scientific definition.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
香蕉富含钾元素。
这种蔬菜的钾含量很高。
钾是人体必需的矿物质。
医生建议他补充钾。
患者需要注射氯化钾溶液。
氢氧化钾常用于制造肥皂。
实验室里存放着金属钾。
这种钾肥能促进作物生长。