How to Write 錾 (zàn) — Meaning “Chisel”

Think of a metal (金) chisel that you use to "chop" (斩) away at stone or metal to create designs. The image of a golden tool chopping helps link the components to the meaning of a chisel.

Write the left radical 金 first, paying attention to its eight strokes, then the right side 斩 with eight strokes. A common mistake is misplacing the vertical stroke in 车 inside 斩; keep the two sides balanced so they don't touch too much.

錾 has 金 on the left and 斩 on the right, meaning a chisel. 銎 has 巩 on top and 金 below, referring to the socket of a tool handle. 銮 has 亦 on top and 金 below, meaning an imperial carriage or bells. Visually, the positions of the metal radical differ.

錾 appears in words like 錾刻 (to engrave metal) and 錾花 (engraved patterns), mostly in traditional crafts or descriptions of ancient metalwork. It is not used in everyday conversation but is important for discussing cultural heritage and artisan techniques.

Common words containing 錾 include: 錾子 (zàn zi) — Chisel; 錾刻 (zàn kè) — To engrave; 錾花 (zàn huā) — Engraved patterns.