铅

• Pinyin: qiān
• Hanzi breakdown: 铅 = 钅/金 (metal radical) + 㕣 (phonetic; also relates to 沿 — along/follow) — a metal element; lead (Pb)

Meaning

Lead (the metal, Pb). A dense, soft, bluish-grey heavy metal.

The chemical element lead (Pb, atomic number 82). Used in batteries, radiation shielding, historical plumbing, and formerly in paint and petrol. Known for its toxicity, especially to children. 含铅 (lead-containing), 铅中毒 (lead poisoning), 铅笔 (pencil — originally made with lead, now graphite).

Examples

1. 儿童长期接触含铅涂料可能导致铅中毒，影响神经系统发育，各国已相继立法禁止其在住宅中使用。 Long-term exposure to lead-based paint can cause lead poisoning in children and affect nervous system development, so many countries have passed laws banning its use in homes.
2. 核电站的辐射防护屏障大量使用铅板，利用其高密度特性有效阻隔和吸收有害射线。 Nuclear power plants use large quantities of lead shielding, taking advantage of its high density to effectively block and absorb harmful radiation.
3. 该地区土壤中铅含量严重超标，被认定与附近铅冶炼厂长达数十年的不规范排放密切相关。 Lead levels in the region’s soil far exceed safety limits and have been linked to decades of irregular emissions from a nearby lead smelter.

Usage Guide

Context: chemistry, industry, environment, health

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 工业生产中产生的含铅废水若未经妥善处理直接排放，将对周边水源和土壤造成难以逆转的污染损害。(Lead-containing wastewater generated in industrial production, if discharged without proper treatment, will cause irreversible pollution to surrounding water sources and soil.)
• 无铅焊料在电子制造业的广泛推广，是落实欧盟有害物质限制指令的重要举措，也是行业绿色转型的关键步骤。(The widespread promotion of lead-free solder in the electronics manufacturing industry is an important measure for implementing the EU's Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive and a key step in the industry's green transition.)

Don't Say

• 铅笔里有很多铅 — modern pencils contain graphite (石墨), not lead; clarify with 铅笔芯是石墨，不含金属铅 to avoid the common misconception

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character: 钅/金 (metal radical) + 㕣 (phonetic component) — a type of metal; lead (Pb)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal