釘 (dīng) - Nail — a metal fastener with a point & also used metaphorically for something fixed, certain, or

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dīng ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

丁恩

釘 · dīng

Nail — a metal fastener with a point and a head;

also used metaphorically for something fixed, certain, or final.

Nail — a metal fastener with a pointalso used metaphorically for something fixed, certain, or

Usage highlights

Iron nailNail hammerDrive in a nailConfirm/finalizeNail downThumbtack

Synonyms

  • 针— needle (similar thin pointed object)
  • 楔— wedge (similar fastening function)

Antonyms

  • 拔— pull out/extract (opposite action to nailing)
  • 松— loose/relaxed (opposite state to being fixed/nailed)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He hammered a nail into the wall (钉钉子).
  • The contract is finalized (合同敲定了).
  • Please nail this board securely (请把这块木板钉牢).
  • That's a sure thing (那是板上钉钉的事).

Collocations

  • Iron nail(铁钉)
  • Nail hammer(钉锤)
  • Drive in a nail(钉钉子)
  • Confirm/finalize(钉住)
  • Nail down(钉牢)
  • Thumbtack(图钉)

Idioms

  • As sure as nails(板上钉钉)
  • Drive a wedge(钉楔子)
  • Hammer and nail(铁锤钉钉子)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Nails symbolize certainty and finality in Chinese culture, as in the idiom '板上钉钉' (as sure as nails on a board).
  • Historically made of iron or bronze, nails were essential in traditional Chinese carpentry and construction.
  • The character appears in metaphorical expressions about fixing things in place or making decisions final.

FAQ