Definitions

qiān (noun) lead (chemical element)

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character for lead, traditionally written as "鉛", combines the metal radical "金" denoting its material category with the phonetic component "㕣" which originally guided its pronunciation. Its simplified form "铅" retains the phonetic element while substituting the abbreviated metal radical "钅". Throughout its history, the character has consistently referred to the metallic element lead, though its application in compound words such as "铅笔" (pencil) has shifted to denote graphite, reflecting a change in the substance used rather than the core meaning of the character itself.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢用笔写字。

Wǒ xǐhuān yòng qiānbǐ xiězì.

I like to write with a pencil.

他正在扔球。

Tā zhèngzài rēng qiānqiú.

He is throwing the shot put.

这支笔的芯断了。

Zhè zhī qiānbǐ de qiānxīn duàn le.

The lead of this pencil is broken.

是一种重金属。

Qiān shì yī zhǒng zhòng jīnshǔ.

Lead is a heavy metal.

污染对健康有害。

Qiān wūrǎn duì jiànkāng yǒuhài.

Lead pollution is harmful to health.

汽车使用蓄电池。

Qìchē shǐyòng qiān xùdiànchí.

Cars use lead-acid batteries.

的密度比铁大。

Qiān de mìdù bǐ tiě dà.

The density of lead is greater than that of iron.

开采矿会破坏环境。

Kāicǎi qiānkuàng huì pòhuài huánjìng.

Mining lead ore can damage the environment.