镶嵌

• Pinyin: xiāng qiàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 镶 = 钅 + 襄 (metal framing); 嵌 = 山 + 欠 (mountain hollow + gap — a cavity waiting to be filled)

Meaning

To inlay; to embed; to set one material into the surface of another for decorative or structural purposes.

More formal and complete than 镶 alone, 镶嵌 is commonly used in written descriptions of fine craftsmanship, architectural design, and decorative arts. It also appears metaphorically to describe communities, villages, or landscapes seamlessly integrated into their surroundings — as if fitted into a natural setting.

Examples

1. 这幅宏大的壁画由数万块彩色玻璃镶嵌而成，工程浩大，历时三年方才竣工。 This massive mural is made from tens of thousands of pieces of colored glass set in mosaic; it was a huge undertaking and took three years to complete.
2. 建筑师决定在外墙镶嵌当地出产的花岗岩，使建筑风格与周围自然环境和谐统一。 The architect decided to inlay locally produced granite into the exterior walls so the building’s style would harmonize with the surrounding natural environment.
3. 工匠将一颗红宝石精心镶嵌在银质胸针的中央，使其成为整件作品最引人瞩目的视觉焦点。 The craftsman carefully set a ruby in the center of the silver brooch, making it the most eye-catching focal point of the entire piece.

Usage Guide

Context: art, architecture, crafts, design

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 壁炉周围镶嵌了进口大理石，精致华美，令每一位参观者赞叹不已。(The fireplace surround is inlaid with imported marble, exquisitely beautiful, drawing admiration from every visitor.)
• 古代工匠将翡翠和玛瑙镶嵌在金制器皿之上，彰显皇室无与伦比的尊贵与权威。(Ancient craftsmen inlaid jade and agate into golden vessels, demonstrating the unparalleled prestige and authority of the imperial family.)

Don't Say

• 把家具镶嵌进房间 — 镶嵌 describes embedding material into a surface, not placing furniture; use 摆放 or 安置 for furniture placement

Origin & History

镶 (to inlay/frame) + 嵌 (to embed/fit into a cavity) — two complementary characters both expressing the idea of fitting into a surface

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal