How to Write 铛 (dāng) — Meaning “Clang / Small gong”

Imagine a metal pan (钅) that sounds like "dāng" when you hit it. Visualize a small gong that goes "clang" — the right side 当 even looks a bit like a gong hanging from a frame.

The radical 钅 has five strokes: write the left-falling stroke first, then three horizontals, and finish with a vertical that curls into a hook. A common mistake is making the top of 当 too wide — keep it narrow and compact with four horizontal strokes in a stack.

All three have the metal radical 钅, but the right sides differ: 铛 has 当, 钙 has 丐, and 钚 has 不. Meaning-wise, 铛 is a small gong or clang sound, while 钙 means calcium and 钚 means plutonium — both are chemical elements used in science.

铛 is often used in onomatopoeia like 铛铛声 to describe clanging sounds. It also appears in cooking, for example 烙铁铛 refers to a flat iron pan used for grilling. Historically, a small gong (铛) was used in temples or traditional performances to announce events.

Common words containing 铛 include: 铛铛声 (dāng dāng shēng) — Clanging sound; 烙铁铛 (lào tiě dāng) — Griddle; flat iron pan..