How to Write 钧 (jūn) — Meaning “Your (honorific) / Ancient unit of weight”

Imagine a metal scale (钅) that is perfectly even (匀) to measure a heavy load — that balance represents the ancient weight unit. Alternatively, think of "metal even" as a hook (钅) that makes things equal (匀), which helps recall the meaning of a unit of weight.

The left radical 钅 must be written with its last stroke as a vertical lift (竖提) that goes upward to the right. The right part 匀 starts with a left-falling stroke (撇), then a horizontal hook (横折钩), followed by a dot and a short lift — make sure the hook is clear and the dot is placed inside the enclosure.

All three share the metal radical 钅, but 钧 has 匀 on the right (meaning even or balanced), while 针 has 十 (ten) and means "needle," and 钉 has 丁 (a nail) and means "nail." Visually, 匀 contains a hook and a dot, whereas 针 and 钉 use simple straight lines. Their meanings are unrelated — 钧 is a weight unit or honorific, not a tool.

钧 is very formal and appears in respectful expressions like 钧旨 (your instructions) in official letters or 钧座 (your excellency) when addressing superiors. It is also found in idioms such as 千钧一发 (hanging by a thousand jun, meaning imminent danger) and 雷霆万钧 (the force of a thunderbolt), but it is not used in everyday conversation.

Common words containing 钧 include: 千钧一发 (qiān jūn yī fà) — hanging by a thread; imminent peril; 雷霆万钧 (léi tíng wàn jūn) — With the force of a thunderbolt; 钧旨 (jūn zhǐ) — Your instructions (honorific).