钢

• Pinyin: gāng
• Hanzi breakdown: 钢 = 钅 + 冈 (metal radical + ridge, indicating hardness and strength)

Meaning

Steel; a hard, strong alloy of iron and carbon used extensively in construction, manufacturing, and engineering.

Fundamental to modern industrial civilisation. 钢铁 (steel and iron) is a common collective compound. Key compounds include 不锈钢 (stainless steel), 钢结构 (steel structure), and 钢铁意志 (iron will — figurative). Also used metaphorically for hardness and toughness.

Examples

1. 这座大桥采用高强度钢建造，设计使用寿命超过一百年，可承受强烈地震的冲击。 This bridge was built with high-strength steel and designed to last more than a hundred years, able to withstand the impact of major earthquakes.
2. 中国的钢铁产业经过数十年的发展，已成为全球产量最大的国家。 After decades of development, China’s steel industry has become the world’s largest by output.
3. 她以钢铁般的意志坚持完成了训练，最终站上了世界锦标赛的领奖台。 With a will of steel, she pushed through the training and finally stood on the podium at the world championships.

Usage Guide

Context: industry, construction, manufacturing

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 建筑工地上堆满了用于搭建主体结构的优质钢材。(The construction site was piled with high-quality steel materials used to build the main structure.)
• 这款刀具由特种钢打造而成，锋利耐用，深受专业厨师的喜爱。(This knife is crafted from specialty steel — sharp, durable, and highly favoured by professional chefs.)

Don't Say

• 用钢做的木桌 — 钢 refers specifically to steel metal; for a steel-reinforced object, use 钢结构 or specify 钢铁材质

Origin & History

钢 = 钅 (metal radical) + 冈 (ridge/strength — phonetic element suggesting hardness)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal