Chinese Character: 锯
1. Character Basics
Radical: 钅/jīn (metal radical, related to metal objects)
Stroke Count: 13
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: jù (fourth tone)
3. Meaning
saw (tool), cut with a saw, sawing
4. Common Words
- 锯子 (jùzi) - saw (tool)
- 电锯 (diànjù) - electric saw
- 手锯 (shǒujù) - handsaw
- 拉锯 (lājù) - saw back and forth
- 锯齿 (jùchǐ) - sawtooth
- 拉锯战 (lājùzhàn) - seesaw battle, protracted struggle
5. Grammar & Usage
As a noun (saw tool):
- 常与其他词组合表示不同类型的锯：电锯 (electric saw), 手锯 (handsaw), 钢锯 (hacksaw)
- 可作主语、宾语：锯子很锋利 (The saw is very sharp), 使用锯子 (use a saw)
As a verb (cut with a saw):
- 后面接名词，表示锯的对象：锯木头 (saw wood), 锯钢材 (saw steel)
- 可带补语：锯断 (saw off), 锯开 (saw open)
Common structures:
- 用 + 锯 + 动词：用锯锯木头 (use a saw to saw wood)
- 锯 + 成 + 结果：把木板锯成两半 (saw the plank into two halves)
6. Cultural Background
在中国文化和历史中，"锯"作为一种重要的工具，有着丰富的文化内涵：
- 发明历史：中国古代传说中，锯是由鲁班发明的，他受到茅草边缘锯齿状结构的启发
- 传统工艺：在传统木工技艺中，锯是不可或缺的工具，体现了中国工匠的智慧
- 成语文化：有许多与锯相关的成语和俗语，如"绳锯木断"比喻力量虽小，只要坚持不懈，事情就能成功
- 现代发展：随着科技进步，锯的种类和功能不断丰富，从传统手锯发展到各种电动工具
7. Example Sentence
中文：他用电锯把大树锯成了几段，准备用来做家具。
Pinyin：Tā yòng diànjù bǎ dàshù jù chéng le jǐ duàn, zhǔnbèi yòng lái zuò jiājù.
Translation：He used an electric saw to cut the big tree into several sections, preparing to use them to make furniture.
8. Memory Tips
Character Structure Breakdown: 锯 is composed of 钅 (metal radical) on the left and 居 (jū, meaning "reside" or "occupy") on the right.
Mnemonic Device: The 钅 (metal radical) indicates that this character is related to a metal tool, and 居 suggests something that "occupies" or "holds" a position. Together, 锯 represents a metal tool used for cutting.
Visual Association: Imagine a metal saw (钅) with sharp teeth that can "reside" in or cut through materials (居).
Related Words: Connect the character to common words like 锯子 (saw) and 电锯 (electric saw) to reinforce your memory.