鉄 (zhí) - Iron — a strong, hard magnetic metal & used metaphorically for strength, hardness, or determination.

鉄Tone 2

zhí ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

丈志

鉄 · zhí

Iron — a strong, hard magnetic metal;

used metaphorically for strength, hardness, or determination.

Iron — a strong, hard magnetic metalused metaphorically for strength, hardness, or determination.

Usage highlights

RailwayIron bridgeIron willCast ironIron oreIron plate

Synonyms

  • 鐵— Traditional form of iron
  • 铁— Simplified Chinese form of iron
  • 鋼— Steel (refined iron)

Antonyms

  • 柔— Soft, flexible
  • 弱— Weak

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The bridge is made of iron (鉄橋).
  • He has an iron will (鉄の意志).
  • Train tracks are iron rails (鉄道).
  • This is a cast iron pot (鋳鉄の鍋).

Collocations

  • Railway(鉄道)
  • Iron bridge(鉄橋)
  • Iron will(鉄の意志)
  • Cast iron(鋳鉄)
  • Iron ore(鉄鉱石)
  • Iron plate(鉄板)

Idioms

  • Iron wall(鉄壁)
  • Iron rule(鉄則)
  • Iron fist(鉄拳)
  • Blood and iron(鉄血)
  • As hard as iron(鉄石のごとく)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • 鉄 is the Japanese simplified form of traditional Chinese character 鐵, commonly used in Japan.
  • Iron has historically represented strength, durability, and military power across East Asian cultures.
  • In Japanese context, 鉄 appears in many compound words related to railways and industry due to Japan's modernization.

FAQ