How to Write 锫 (péi) — Meaning “berkelium (chemical element)”

Imagine 'Berkeley' — the city where berkelium was discovered — as 'Berke' sounds like 咅 (péi). Then picture a metal symbol 钅 next to a small 'Berkeley' sign, so 锫 means 'Berkeley metal.' This links the element's name to its origin.

The left radical 钅 has 5 strokes — write the first two horizontal strokes, then the vertical hook, then the two inner strokes, keeping it narrow. The right part 咅 has 8 strokes; note the top is 立 (lì) but slightly compressed, and the bottom is 口 (kǒu), which should be centered below. A common mistake is making the 钅 too wide, so keep it slim to balance the character.

锫 (péi, berkelium) has the right part 咅, while 铐 (kào, handcuffs) has 考 (kǎo) on the right, and 铑 (lǎo, rhodium) has 老 (lǎo). Visually, 咅 has a '立' on top and '口' below, 考 has a long downward stroke, and 老 has a '土' shape. In meaning, 锫 is a radioactive element, 铐 is a tool for restraint, and 铑 is a precious metal.

锫 is almost exclusively used in scientific contexts, especially chemistry and nuclear physics, to refer to the synthetic element berkelium (atomic number 97). It appears in terms like 锫元素 (berkelium element) or 锫原子 (berkelium atom). Culturally, it is not common in daily life; most Chinese people would not know this character unless they study advanced science.

Common words containing 锫 include: 锫元素 (péi yuán sù) — the element berkelium; 锫原子 (péi yuán zi) — berkelium atom; 金属锫 (jīn shǔ péi) — Berkelium metal.