How to Write 镟 (xuàn) — Meaning “to turn (on a lathe)”

Picture a metal screw (钅) spinning (旋) on a lathe — the screw rotates as it is being shaped. You can also think of the word "spin" hidden in the right side 旋 to remind you of the turning action.

The left radical 钅 is written with a vertical upstroke (竖提) at the end, not a hook — common mistake is to write it like 钅 with a downward hook. The right part 旋 has a horizontal fold hook (横折钩) and two downward left-falling strokes (撇); make sure the spacing is balanced so the character is not too wide.

镟 uses 旋 (spin) on the right, so it is about rotating or lathe work. In contrast, 锲 uses 契 (carve) on the right and means to carve or engrave, like 锲而不舍 (to carve without giving up). 锴 uses 皆 (all) and refers to a type of fine iron or a metal name, not related to turning.

镟 appears mainly in industrial or machining contexts, such as 镟床 (lathe machine) and 镟工 (lathe work or a turner). It is not used in everyday conversation and is considered technical vocabulary, often found in manufacturing or engineering manuals.

Common words containing 镟 include: 镟床 (xuàn chuáng) — lathe; 镟工 (xuàn gōng) — lathe work or turner; 镟削 (xuàn xuē) — turning or lathe cutting.