铮 (zhēng) - Clang & clank

铮Tone 1

zhēng ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

丈志

铮 · zhēng

Clang;

clank;

clinking sound of metals or jades striking together;

describes a clear, sharp metallic sound;

also used to describe someone upright and outspoken.

Clangclankclinking sound of metals or jades striking together

Usage highlights

Clanging soundClang and clankIronUpright and outspokenClinking of metalsClear and sharp sound

Synonyms

  • 锵— Clang; clank; tinkle (descriptive of metallic or jade sounds)
  • 响— Sound; noise (general term for sound)

Antonyms

  • 哑— Mute; dumb; silent (opposite of making sound)
  • 柔— Soft; gentle; yielding (opposite of hard/metallic and outspoken)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The sound of clashing swords (铮铮作响).
  • He has an outspoken personality (性格铮铮).
  • The jade ornaments made a clinking sound (玉佩铮然).
  • A man of moral integrity (铮铮铁汉).

Collocations

  • Clanging sound(铮铮)
  • Clang and clank(铮铮作响)
  • Iron-willed man(铮铮铁汉)
  • Upright and outspoken(铮铮有声)
  • Clinking of metals(金属铮铮)
  • Clear and sharp sound(铮然)

Idioms

  • Iron-willed and unyielding(铮铮铁骨)
  • Clear and sharp sound(铮铮有声)
  • A man of iron(铮铮铁汉)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally described the clear, sharp sound of metal or jade striking together.
  • Extended metaphorically to describe people with upright, unyielding, and outspoken character.
  • Often used in literary contexts to depict heroic or morally steadfast individuals.

FAQ