How to Write 镲 (chǎ) — Meaning “Cymbals”

Picture a pair of shiny metal cymbals that you clash together, making a loud "Cha!" sound. The left part 钅 is metal, and the right part 察 looks like the word "check" — so remember you "check" the cymbals by clashing them.

The left radical 钅 should be written narrow, while the right side 察 is wide and has many strokes (19 total). A common mistake is making the left side too large; also, the right top is 宀 (roof), followed by a complex middle — be careful to keep all strokes clear.

镲 (chǎ, cymbals) has the right component 察, while 镡 (chán) has 覃 (meaning a sword or bell) and 镢 (jué) has 厥 (meaning a hoe). Their meanings differ greatly: 镲 is a musical instrument, whereas 镡 and 镢 are tools or weapons.

You will see 镲 mainly in music contexts, such as in names of traditional Chinese instruments like 小镲 (small cymbals) used in folk bands or opera. It is not a common daily word, so you are most likely to encounter it in a music store, a performance program, or a description of percussion instruments.

Common words containing 镲 include: 小镲 (xiǎo chǎ) — small cymbals; 镲片 (chǎ piàn) — Cymbal plates; 响镲 (xiǎng chǎ) — cymbals.