Definition
锤 (chuí) as a verb means 'to hammer' or 'to temper (metal) by repeated striking' — a concrete, physical action. Unlike 磨炼 (mó liàn), which refers to steeling oneself through hardship, 锤 is literal. As a noun, it means 'hammer' or the sliding weight on a steelyard balance, distinct from general 重量 (zhòng liàng 'weight').
noun
hammerweight (of a steelyard or balance)
verb
to hammerto strike with a hammerto temper (through repeated striking)
Easily confused
- 捶chuílook-aliketo beat, to thump, to pound (with a stick or one's fist)
- 吹chuīsound-aliketo blow (of wind or by mouth)
- 睡shuìlook-aliketo sleep
- 垂chuísound-aliketo hang down, to droop, to dangle
Examples
- 锤。Tā yòng chuí bǎ dīngzi dìng jìn le qiáng lǐ.He hammered the nail into the wall.
- 锤，。Zhè bǎ chuí hěn zhòng, shìhé yòng lái zá shítou.This hammer is very heavy, suitable for breaking stones.
- 锤，。Lǎo chèng de chuí diū le, xūyào pèi yí gè xīn de.The weight of the old steelyard is lost and needs a new one.
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