銅 (tóng) - Copper — a reddish-brown metallic element & bronze

銅Tone 2

tóng ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

婷婉

銅 · tóng

Copper — a reddish-brown metallic element;

bronze;

money;

copper-colored.

Copper — a reddish-brown metallic elementbronzemoney

Usage highlights

Copper wireBronze statueAncient coinCopper mineBronze wareBrass

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 木— wood (opposite of metal in five elements)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The statue is made of bronze (铜像).
  • Copper wires conduct electricity well (铜线).
  • Ancient Chinese coins were often made of bronze (铜钱).
  • The kettle is copper-colored (铜色).

Collocations

  • Copper wire(铜线)
  • Bronze statue(铜像)
  • Ancient coin(铜钱)
  • Copper mine(铜矿)
  • Bronze ware(铜器)
  • Brass(黄铜)

Idioms

  • Bronze walls and iron barriers — impregnable fortress(铜墙铁壁)
  • Bronze rooster made of iron — a person of strong character(铁铸铜浇)
  • Bronze teeth and iron teeth — strong and durable(铜齿铁牙)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Copper was one of the earliest metals used by humans, crucial for the Bronze Age in China.
  • In ancient China, bronze was used for ritual vessels, weapons, and coins, symbolizing power and wealth.
  • The character appears in terms related to metallurgy, currency, and durability.

FAQ