釵 (chāi) - Hairpin — an ornamental hair accessory, typically for & historically used to secure hair in traditional Chinese

釵Tone 1

chāi ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

偲嫦

釵 · chāi

Hairpin — an ornamental hair accessory, typically for women, often made of gold, silver, jade, or other materials;

historically used to secure hair in traditional Chinese hairstyles.

Hairpin — an ornamental hair accessory, typically forhistorically used to secure hair in traditional Chinese

Usage highlights

Gold hairpinJade hairpinHairpin and skirtBroken hairpinHairpin and hair claspHairpin tassel

Synonyms

  • 簪— Hairpin (similar hair accessory, often single-pronged)
  • 钗子— Hairpin (colloquial term)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She wore an exquisite gold hairpin (金釵).
  • The hairpin is a common accessory in Hanfu attire (汉服配饰).
  • The hairpin fell from her hair during the dance (发髻上的釵).
  • This jade hairpin is a family heirloom (玉釵).

Collocations

  • Gold hairpin(金釵)
  • Jade hairpin(玉釵)
  • Hairpin and skirt(裙釵)
  • Broken hairpin(断釵)
  • Hairpin and hair clasp(釵钿)
  • Hairpin tassel(釵穗)

Idioms

  • Broken mirror reunited, hairpin rejoined(破镜重圆，分釵重合)
  • Separated hairpin, broken mirror(分釵破镜)
  • Hairpin and hair clasp, skirt and hairpin(釵钿裙釵)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Hairpins were essential accessories in traditional Chinese women's hairstyles, indicating social status and marital status.
  • In literature and poetry, hairpins often symbolize women, love, separation, and reunion.
  • The 'broken hairpin' is a common metaphor for separation of lovers or marital breakdown.

FAQ