锤子

• Pinyin: chuí zi
• Hanzi breakdown: 锤 = 钅(metal) + 垂 (phonetic); 子 = noun suffix

Meaning

Hammer. A tool with a heavy metal head on a handle, used for driving nails or breaking things.

The standard word for hammer in everyday usage. In internet slang, it can be an intensifier expressing disbelief or negation, similar to English 'my foot' or 'yeah right.'

Examples

1. 工具箱里有锤子、螺丝刀和扳手，你自己找一下。 The toolbox has a hammer, screwdriver, and wrench — go find what you need.
2. 他抡起锤子把旧墙砸了个大洞，准备开始装修。 He swung the hammer and smashed a big hole in the old wall, ready to start renovating.
3. 这个钉子太硬了，用小锤子根本敲不进去。 This nail is too hard; you can't drive it in with a small hammer.

Usage Guide

Context: tools, construction, everyday

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 你能把锤子递给我吗？我要挂这幅画。(Can you pass me the hammer? I need to hang this painting.)
• 没有锤子的话用石头也能凑合。(If you don't have a hammer, a rock can make do.)

Don't Say

• 我用锤子切了蔬菜 (Don't use 锤子 for cutting — it's for pounding and striking, use 刀 for cutting)

Origin & History

Compound of 锤 (hammer, mallet) + 子 (noun suffix). The 金 radical in 锤 indicates its metal composition.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal