铜

• Pinyin: tóng
• Hanzi breakdown: 铜 = 钅(metal) + 同 (phonetic)

Meaning

Copper; bronze. A reddish-brown metallic element.

One of the earliest metals used by humans, important in Chinese history for bronze ware and coins. Used in compounds like 青铜 (bronze), 铜板 (copper coin/slang for money), 铜牌 (bronze medal).

Examples

1. 这座青铜器已有三千年历史，是博物馆的镇馆之宝。 This bronze vessel is three thousand years old and is the museum's most treasured artifact.
2. 铜价最近涨了不少，做电缆生意的压力很大。 Copper prices have risen quite a bit lately — it's putting a lot of pressure on the cable business.
3. 他拿了个铜牌回来，虽然不是金牌，但也是国家的荣誉。 He came back with a bronze medal — it's not gold, but it's still an honor for the country.

Usage Guide

Context: materials, history, sports

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 铜线。(Copper wire.)
• 铜牌得主。(Bronze medalist.)

Don't Say

• 把黄铜说成纯铜 (黄铜 is brass, an alloy — 纯铜 is pure copper; don't confuse them)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character: 钅(metal radical) + 同 (phonetic component).

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal