How to Write 锡 (xī) — Meaning “Tin”

Think of the phrase: 'A metal (钅) that is easy (易) to bend' — because tin is a soft, malleable metal. The right side 易 also looks like a simple drawing of a tin can being crushed. This visual link helps you recall the character's form and meaning.

The left radical 钅 is narrow and has five strokes: a short left-falling stroke, then three horizontal strokes, and a vertical hook at the end. The right side 易 has a top part like 日 (with two horizontal lines inside) and a bottom part similar to 勿, but note the last two strokes are two left-falling strokes, not dots. A common mistake is making the bottom of 易 too wide — keep it balanced with the left side.

All three have the metal radical 钅 on the left, but their right sides differ: 锡 uses 易 (meaning tin), 铐 uses 考 (meaning handcuffs), and 铑 uses 老 (meaning rhodium). Visually, 易 has a flat top with a 日-like shape, 考 has a slanting stroke on top and a 丂 shape, and 老 has a longer horizontal stroke with a 匕-like bottom.

Tin is commonly seen in words like 锡纸 (aluminum foil used for cooking), 焊锡 (solder for electronics), and 锡器 (decorative pewter ware). Culturally, Yunnan province in China is famous for its tin mines, and 锡 has been used for centuries in traditional craft items like teapots and vases.

Common words containing 锡 include: 锡纸 (xī zhǐ) — Aluminum foil / Tinfoil; 锡器 (xī qì) — Pewter ware.; 焊锡 (hàn xī) — solder / tin solder.