How to Write 锍 (liǔ) — Meaning “Matte (metallurgy)”

Think of "metal (钅) that stays (留) behind" after smelting — this leftover is matte. Visualize gold ore being heated, and only a matte substance remains, which sounds like "liǔ" similar to "leave you" with a metallic finish.

Write the left radical 钅 first (three strokes: left-falling, horizontal, vertical-hook), then the right part 留 (top 卯 with a hook, bottom 田). A common mistake is making the top of 留 too wide — keep 卯 narrow and the 田 balanced below. Also ensure the left radical is slightly taller than the right component.

锍 means "matte" (a metallurgical term), while 钰 (yù) means "treasure" or "hard metal" and 钱 (qián) means "coin" or "money." Visually, 锍 has 留 on the right, 钰 has 玉 (jade), and 钱 has 戋 (small, shallow) — so they differ in both meaning and right-side component. Remember: 锍 is technical, not everyday.

锍 is a specialized character used mainly in metallurgy and mining industry contexts, such as 铜锍 (copper matte) and 锍矿 (matte ore). You will rarely see it outside technical reports or chemistry textbooks, as it refers to an intermediate product in metal smelting. It is not part of HSK or common vocabulary.

Common words containing 锍 include: 铜锍 (tóng liǔ) — Copper matte; 锍矿 (liǔ kuàng) — Matte ore; 熔炼锍 (róng liàn liǔ) — Smelting matte.