锯

• Pinyin: jù
• Hanzi breakdown: 锯 = 钅 + 居 (metal radical + dwell — a metal cutting tool)

Meaning

A saw; to saw. A tool with a toothed blade used for cutting wood or other materials, and the action of cutting with such a tool.

Includes various types of saws: 手锯 (hand saw), 电锯 (electric saw/chainsaw), 钢锯 (hacksaw). The verb 锯 describes the back-and-forth cutting motion. Idiomatically, 拉锯战 (tug-of-war/seesaw battle) uses the sawing metaphor for prolonged stalemates.

Examples

1. 工人用电锯将一根粗壮的原木迅速切割成规格统一的木板。 The worker used a power saw to quickly cut a thick log into evenly sized boards.
2. 他们在边境地区进行了长达数月的拉锯战，双方都付出了惨重的代价。 They fought a months-long back-and-forth struggle along the border, and both sides paid a heavy price.
3. 这把手锯的锯齿已经磨损严重，需要更换新的刀片才能继续使用。 The teeth on this hand saw are badly worn; the blade needs to be replaced before it can be used again.

Usage Guide

Context: woodworking, tools, construction, idioms

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他熟练地操作着电锯，将一块块木料切割成精确的尺寸，手法干净利落。(He skilfully operated the electric saw, cutting pieces of timber into precise dimensions with clean and decisive technique.)
• 这场商业谈判持续了整整三个月，双方进行了艰难的拉锯战，最终达成了妥协方案。(This business negotiation lasted a full three months; both sides engaged in a difficult seesaw battle and finally reached a compromise.)

Don't Say

• 用锯来切肉 — while technically possible, saws are not used for food; use 切 or specific kitchen tools instead

Origin & History

锯 = 钅 + 居 (metal + reside — a metal tool that works by residing against material)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal