Learn a Chinese Character - 锻

1. Character Basics

Radical: 钅 (Metal radical)

Stroke Count: 14 (Number of strokes: 14)

Structure Analysis: 形声字，从钅（金属），段声（duàn，表音）。本义指金属锻造（如"锻造"），现指身体锻炼（如"锻炼"）(Phonetic-semantic character: "钅" (metal) + "段" (phonetic). Originally meant "metal forging", now means "physical exercise".)

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Duàn (Fourth tone)

3. Meaning

To forge; to hammer; to smelt metal; to exercise; to train; to temper; to strengthen through practice.

4. Common Words

• 锻炼 (duàn liàn) Exercise
• 锻造 (duàn zào) Forge
• 锻铁 (duàn tiě) Wrought iron
• 锻工 (duàn gōng) Blacksmith

5. Grammar & Usage

The character 锻 (duàn) is primarily used as a verb, referring to forging or exercising:

• As a verb: To forge metal or exercise. Example: 锻铁 (duàn tiě) - to forge iron
• In compound verbs: Often combined with other characters. Example: 锻炼 (duàn liàn) - to exercise
• Figurative usage: Can mean to train or strengthen. Example: 锻练意志 (duàn liàn yì zhì) - to strengthen one's will
• Idiomatic expressions: 百炼成钢 (bǎi liàn chéng gāng) - Through a hundred refinings, steel is made (meaning perseverance leads to excellence)

6. Cultural Background

The character 锻 (duàn) has significant cultural meaning in China:

• Chinese civilization has a long history of metalworking, with bronze and iron forging techniques developing over 3,000 years ago.
• The idiom 百炼成钢 (bǎi liàn chéng gāng) reflects the Chinese cultural value of perseverance through hardship.
• Traditional Chinese martial arts emphasize "internal forging" (内锻) of both body and mind.
• Chinese medicine uses the concept of "tempering" (锻炼) the body to maintain health and prevent disease.
• The famous Chinese sword-making techniques involve repeated forging and folding of metal to create strong, flexible blades.
• Today, 锻炼 (duàn liàn) remains a key concept in Chinese culture, promoting regular physical activity for health.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

Combine "钅" (metal) + "段" (segment) → Forging metal into segments. 组合“钅”+“段”→ 将金属锻造成段。