How to Write 钹 (bó) — Meaning “cymbals”

Imagine a pair of cymbals made of metal (钅) being struck together with a loud "BÓ" sound. The right side 犮 looks like two crossed cymbal edges clashing. Think: "Metal (钅) + crash (犮-like shape) = cymbals (钹)."

The left radical 钅 is narrower and should be written first with its horizontal stroke slightly slanted. The right part 犮 has a dot above and a stroke that curves like a tail — do not forget that dot, as it distinguishes it from 发 (fā). Keep the left and right balanced, with the right side slightly wider.

钹 (cymbals) has the phonetic component 犮 (bó), while 钍 (thorium, a metal element) has 土 (tǔ) and is pronounced tǔ. 钎 (drill rod or brazing rod) has 千 (qiān) and is pronounced qiān. Visually, the right sides are different: 犮 vs. 土 vs. 千, so look at the bottom part carefully.

钹 specifically refers to a traditional Chinese percussion instrument made of brass or copper, often used in folk orchestras, operas, and temple ceremonies. It appears in phrases like 敲钹 (to play cymbals) and 铜钹 (copper cymbals). The sound of cymbals, 钹声, is associated with festive or dramatic moments in Chinese culture.

Common words containing 钹 include: 敲钹 (qiāo bó) — to play cymbals; 铜钹 (tóng bó) — Copper cymbals; 钹声 (bó shēng) — sound of cymbals.