金属 (jīn shǔ) — metal | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

金属 is the general, scientific term for 'metal' as a material category (iron, gold, copper, etc.). 钢铁 refers specifically to steel/iron alloys, not all metals.

noun

metal

Measure word · 种

Examples

金属。
Huáng jīn shì yì zhǒng hěn zhēn guì de jīn shǔ.
Gold is a very precious metal.
金属。
Tiě shì zuì cháng yòng de jīn shǔ zhī yī.
Iron is one of the most commonly used metals.
金属。
jīn shǔ Kě yǐ chuán rè hé dǎo diàn.
Metal can conduct heat and electricity.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

属shǔcategory

Metal plus category names substances such as iron, copper, and gold.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

金 was drawn with marks for two pieces of metal, along with a part that gave its sound; it first meant copper, then metals and gold.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 屬; 属 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

㞑Written in full as尾wěitail

Sound part声符shēngfú

蜀

蜀shǔ屬shǔ

Same sound today

The traditional form 屬 pairs 㞑 (tail) with 蜀 as a sound part; the simplified 属 is a shorthand.

Appears in

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