How to Write 锛 (bēn) — Meaning “Adze”

Imagine a "metal running man" — the left side 钅 is metal, and the right side 奔 (meaning to run) looks like a person with arms out. Picture a blacksmith running while carrying a metal adze, and the sound "bēn" matches the running motion. This visual tricks your brain into linking the tool with its pinyin and shape.

The left radical 钅 has three horizontal strokes — the first is short, the second is longer with a rightward hook, and the third is a short horizontal line. On the right, 奔 is top-heavy with a large 大 on top, so keep the bottom 廾 (two hands) neatly aligned under it. A common mistake is making the right side too wide; keep it balanced within the square.

锛 (bēn, adze) has the phonetic component 奔 on the right, while 铐 (kào, handcuffs) has 考, and 铑 (lǎo, rhodium) has 老. Visually, the right side of 锛 looks like a person running (奔), whereas 铐 has a long downward stroke like a cane, and 铑 has a slanted 丿 on top. Remember: adze for woodcutting, handcuffs for police, rhodium for chemistry.

Common words containing 锛 include: 锛子 (bēn zi) — Adze; 锛木头 (bēn mù tou) — To adze wood; 锛平 (bēn píng) — To level with an adze.