Skip to content
← Explore word lists

CHINESE CHARACTER

jiàn

键

键

Preparing animation…

linchpin

Numbered pinyin
jian4
English meanings
key (on a piano or computer keyboard), button (on a mouse or other device), chemical bond, linchpin

Stroke practice

Loading writing practice…

BUILDING BLOCKS

Structure & components

Left–right structure

Left–right arrangement: left 钅; right 建.

  • Left

    钅
  • Right

    建
    Explore parts · Enclosed from the lower left

Meaning & sound clues

钅 is identified as the meaning component, associated with “metal”.

建 is identified as the sound component (jiàn). Its pronunciation may differ from the modern pronunciation of 键.

This breakdown describes the written shape. A component's meaning does not always explain the meaning of the whole character.

Decomposition reference

⿰钅建

Source: Make Me a Hanzi (LGPL-3.0-or-later)
Explore character components →

Homophones

Characters with the same pinyin, regardless of tone.

Example sentences

Read the Chinese sentence, then check its English translation.

  1. 01

    àn按zhè这gè个jiàn键。

    Press this key.

  2. 02

    jiànpán键盘。

    A keyboard.

  3. 03

    ànjiàn按键。

    Press a button.

  4. 04

    gōngnéng功能jiàn键。

    A function key.

  5. 05

    huí回chē车jiàn键。

    The enter key.

  6. 06

    àn按cuò错jiàn键。

    Pressed the wrong key.

Explore words connected to this character.

  • 关键
  • 按键
  • 键盘