淬 (cuì) - To quench or temper (metal) & to harden by sudden cooling

淬Tone 4

cuì ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

淬 · cuì

To quench or temper (metal);

to harden by sudden cooling;

to dip into a liquid;

to refine or improve through practice.

To quench or temper (metal)to harden by sudden coolingto dip into a liquid

Usage highlights

QuenchingTempering/refiningHardening by quenchingTempering steelQuenching mediumQuenching bath

Synonyms

  • 炼— to smelt, refine
  • 锻— to forge, temper
  • 硬— to harden

Antonyms

  • 软— soft, weak
  • 退火— annealing (opposite process to quenching)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The blacksmith quenched the hot steel in water (淬火).
  • He tempered his skills through rigorous practice (淬炼).
  • The sword was hardened by quenching (淬硬).
  • This experience refined her character (淬砺人生).

Collocations

  • Quenching(淬火)
  • Tempering/refining(淬炼)
  • Hardening by quenching(淬硬)
  • Tempering steel(淬钢)
  • Quenching medium(淬剂)
  • Quenching bath(淬浴)

Idioms

  • Temper through hardship(淬砺奋发)
  • Refine through repeated practice(千锤百淬)
  • Harden both body and mind(身心淬炼)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originates from ancient Chinese metallurgy practices for hardening metal tools and weapons.
  • Metaphorically extended to describe the process of improving skills or character through difficult experiences.
  • Associated with the concept of self-cultivation and refinement in both martial and scholarly traditions.

FAQ