锻 (duàn) — to forge (metal), to hammer into shape
Definition
锻 (duàn) means to forge or hammer metal into shape — almost always used in compounds like 锻炼 (to temper/train) and 锻造 (to forge). On its own it is technical and rare; learners will see it inside these set words.
verb
to forge (metal)to hammer into shape
Examples
- 。Zhè kuài tiě xū yào jiā rè hòu cái néng duàn zào.This piece of iron needs to be heated before it can be forged.
- 。Tā zhèng zài duàn zào líng jiàn.He is forging parts.
- 锻。Zhè ge líng jiàn shì yòng gāng duàn chéng de.This part is forged from steel.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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 鍛; 锻 is its simplified writing.
The traditional form 鍛 pairs 釒, a metal part, with 段, which gives the sound; the simplified 锻 is a shorthand.
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