How to Write 铜 (tóng) — Meaning “Copper / Bronze”

Imagine a "same metal" — think of a copper coin that is the same color as a gold coin but worth less. The right side 同 means "same", so you can remember 铜 as "the metal that looks the same as gold" but is actually copper.

First write the radical 钅 (5 strokes: left-falling, horizontal, horizontal, vertical-rising, and a dot). Then write the right part 同 (6 strokes: vertical, horizontal, vertical, horizontal-folding, horizontal, and a small square). A common mistake is making the right part too wide — keep it balanced with the narrow left radical.

All three have the metal radical 钅, but the right sides differ: 铜 has 同 (tóng), 钙 has 丐 (gài), and 钚 has 不 (bù). Their meanings are also different: 铜 is copper/bronze, 钙 is calcium, and 钚 is plutonium. Visually, 同 is taller and has an enclosed structure, while 丐 looks like a T shape and 不 is simpler.

铜 appears in common words like 铜牌 (bronze medal) for sports competitions, 铜钱 (ancient copper coin) referring to traditional currency, and 铜像 (bronze statue) for public monuments. Culturally, copper has been important in Chinese history for making coins, mirrors, and ritual vessels, symbolizing wealth and durability.

Common words containing 铜 include: 铜牌 (tóng pái) — Bronze medal; 铜钱 (tóng qián) — Copper coin; 铜像 (tóng xiàng) — Bronze statue.