Chinese Character: 钢
English Translation: Steel
1. Character Basics
Radical: 钅 (jīn, metal)
Stroke Count: 9
Structure: Left-right structure. The left part 钅 indicates metal, and the right part 冈 means ridge or hill, symbolizing strength and solidity.
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Gāng
Tone: First tone (flat tone)
3. Meaning
Core Meaning: A hard, strong metal made from iron with carbon added, widely used in construction and manufacturing.
Detailed Meanings:
- A strong, hard metallic substance composed of iron and carbon
- Refers to things made of steel
- Figuratively means strength, firmness, or resilience
- Used in compound words related to steel industry or steel products
4. Common Words
- 钢铁 (gāngtiě) - Steel and iron; steel
Example: 钢铁是现代工业的基础。(Gāngtiě shì xiàndài gōngyè de jīchǔ.)
Translation: Steel is the foundation of modern industry.
- 钢笔 (gāngbǐ) - Fountain pen
Example: 他用钢笔写了一封信。(Tā yòng gāngbǐ xiěle yī fēng xìn.)
Translation: He wrote a letter with a fountain pen.
- 钢琴 (gāngqín) - Piano
Example: 她正在学习弹钢琴。(Tā zhèngzài xuéxí tán gāngqín.)
Translation: She is learning to play the piano.
- 钢材 (gāngcái) - Steel products/materials
Example: 这家工厂生产各种钢材。(Zhè jiā gōngchǎng shēngchǎn gèzhǒng gāngcái.)
Translation: This factory produces various steel products.
- 钢筋 (gāngjīn) - Reinforcing steel bar
Example: 建筑工地上有很多钢筋。(Jiànzhù gōngdì shàng yǒu hěnduō gāngjīn.)
Translation: There are many reinforcing steel bars at the construction site.
5. Grammar & Usage
Part of Speech: Mainly used as a noun, but can also be used as an adjective in some contexts
Usage Pattern:
- Often used in compound words related to metals or steel products
- When used as an adjective, it describes something that is strong like steel
- Can be combined with other characters to form technical terms in various industries
Common Collocations:
- 不锈钢 (bùxiùgāng) - Stainless steel
- 钢铁厂 (gāngtiěchǎng) - Steel mill
- 钢结构 (gāngjiégòu) - Steel structure
- 钢化玻璃 (gānghuà bōli) - Tempered glass
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, the character 钢 (gāng) holds significant symbolic meaning:
- Symbol of Strength: Steel is seen as a symbol of strength, resilience, and durability. Phrases like "钢铁意志" (gāngtiě yìzhì) mean "iron will" or unshakable determination.
- Industrial Importance: Steel production has been a cornerstone of China's industrial development, symbolizing modernization and economic strength.
- Cultural Metaphors: There are many Chinese idioms and sayings that use steel as a metaphor, such as "百炼成钢" (bǎi liàn chéng gāng), which means "endure many trials to become strong" (literally "through a hundred refinings, steel is made").
- Historical Context: During China's industrialization process, the steel industry was given high priority, reflecting the importance placed on this material in national development.
7. Example Sentence
Example 1:
这把刀是用优质钢制成的。(Zhè bǎ dāo shì yòng yōuzhì gāng zhìchéng de.)
Translation: This knife is made of high-quality steel.
Example 2:
他的身体像钢铁一样强壮。(Tā de shēntǐ xiàng gāngtiě yīyàng qiángzhuàng.)
Translation: His body is as strong as steel.
Example 3:
这家公司进口了大量钢材。(Zhè jiā gōngsī jìnkǒule dàliàng gāngcái.)
Translation: This company imported a large amount of steel materials.
8. Memory Tips
How to Remember 钢 (gāng):
- Component Breakdown: 钢 consists of 钅 (jīn, metal) and 冈 (gāng, ridge). Think of it as "metal as strong as a mountain ridge" - steel, which is strong and durable like a mountain ridge.
- Visual Association: Imagine a piece of steel with the left part 钅 representing the metallic nature and the right part 冈 suggesting its strength and solidity.
- Word Family: Learn related words together: 钢铁 (steel), 钢笔 (fountain pen), 钢琴 (piano) to reinforce the character's connection to metal and strength.
- Memory Phrase: "金属做的山冈是钢铁" (Jīnshǔ zuò de shāngāng shì gāngtiě) meaning "A mountain ridge made of metal is steel."