钟 Stroke Order — How to Write 钟
钟 is written in 9 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 钅, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
钟 Radical and Character Components
钟 is a phono-semantic compound: 钅 (metal) carries the meaning, while 中 indicates the sound.
Radical: 钅 + 4 more strokes
钟 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- zhōng
Meanings of 钟 in Chinese
1
zhōng钟
A hollow metal instrument that produces sound when struck, such as a bell or chime. It also refers to ancient bronze musical instruments like chime-bells (编钟) or ancient bronze ritual vessels (钟鼎).
博物馆里展出的编钟，是古代重要的乐器，敲击时声音悠扬。
The chime-bells displayed in the museum are important ancient musical instruments, and their sound is melodious when struck.
A timekeeping device, such as a clock, bell, or chimes.
爷爷书房里有一座古老的座钟，走得很准。
Grandpa has an old grandfather clock in his study, and it keeps very accurate time.
Refers to a unit of time, an hour, often used in phrases like '一个钟头' (one hour).
我们开了一个钟头的会.
We had a meeting for an hour.
A small cup or goblet, often used for drinking wine or tea; a small drinking vessel.
我喜欢用这种小钟喝茶.
I like to drink tea from this kind of small cup.
To concentrate on; to specialize in; to have a special affection or preference for something or someone.
他钟爱古典文学，收藏了许多珍贵的古籍
He has a special fondness for classical literature and has collected many precious ancient books.
Common Words and Phrases with 钟
1
To love deeply; to cherish; to dote on.
她钟爱她的宠物猫，总是给它最好的食物和玩具。
She dotes on her pet cat, always giving it the best food and toys.
2
A weight suspended from a pivot that swings freely, often used to regulate the movement of a clock.
老式挂钟的钟摆有节奏地左右摆动着。
The pendulum of the old wall clock swung rhythmically from side to side.
3
Clocks and watches; timepieces in general.
这家商店出售各种款式的钟表，从古典怀表到现代智能手表应有尽有。
This shop sells all kinds of clocks and watches, from classic pocket watches to modern smartwatches.
4
A striker or hammer inside a clock or watch that rings a bell to indicate time.
当钟声响起时，小小的钟锤在表盘后轻快地敲击着，发出悦耳的声音。
When the chime rings, the small hammer strikes lightly behind the clock face, producing a pleasant sound.
5
6
inscriptions on ancient bronze objects
研究钟鼎文有助于我们了解古代社会的文化和历史。
Studying bronze inscriptions helps us understand the culture and history of ancient society.
7
Zhong Kui (Chung K'uei) is a deity in Chinese folklore believed to be capable of exorcising ghosts and evil spirits. His portraits were often hung in the past.
人们相信钟馗的画像能驱邪避灾，保护家人平安
People believe that paintings of Zhong Kui can ward off evil and disaster, protecting the family's safety.
8
A place endowed with the fine spirits of the universe, nurturing outstanding talents.
这里的山水风光如诗如画，令人流连忘返，真可谓钟灵毓秀，孕育了无数艺术家和学者。
The scenic landscapes here are picturesque and captivating, truly a place blessed with natural beauty and brilliant people, nurturing countless artists and scholars.
9
A tower that houses a large clock or bells, often a prominent structure in a city.
这座古老的钟楼是城市的标志性建筑，每天都吸引着许多游客驻足观赏。
This ancient bell tower is an iconic landmark of the city, attracting many visitors every day.
10
The dial or face of a clock or watch, typically marked with hours and minutes.
他仔细地擦拭着老式挂钟的钟面，让它焕然一新
He carefully wiped the clock face of the old wall clock, making it look brand new.
11
Referring to an extravagant and luxurious lifestyle, characterized by the elaborate feasts and music enjoyed by ancient wealthy families.
这部历史剧生动地展现了古代贵族钟鸣鼎食的生活场景。
This historical drama vividly portrays the lavish and extravagant lifestyle of ancient nobility, complete with grand banquets, music, and abundant food.
12
to be in one's declining years; old and weak
老王已经八十高龄，真是钟鸣漏尽，但他依然精神矍铄，坚持每日锻炼。
Old Wang is already eighty years old, truly at the twilight of his life, but he remains energetic and insists on exercising daily.
13
to be deeply in love with; to have a strong affection for
她对绘画艺术钟情一生，创作了许多经典作品。
She was deeply devoted to the art of painting her entire life, creating many classic works.
14
belfry; the room in a bell tower where bells are hung.
参观者爬上高塔，想一睹钟室里巨大古钟的风采。
Visitors climbed the tall tower, eager to catch a glimpse of the magnificent old bell in the bell chamber.
15
16
A bell-shaped cover or canopy, often used to protect something or as a scientific instrument (bell jar).
寺庙里的钟罩保护着古老的铜钟，使其免受风吹雨打。
The bell cover in the temple protects the ancient bronze bell from wind and rain.
More words with 钟
- tǎ塔zhōng钟tower clock
- zuò座zhōng钟mantel clock, table clock
- qiāo敲sāng丧zhōng钟Toll the death knell, Ring the passing bell
- zhōng钟shēng声bell sound, chime
- fēn分zhōng钟minute
- biān编zhōng钟Chime bells
- guà挂zhōng钟wall clock
- nào闹zhōng钟alarm clock, alarm
- wǎn晚zhōng钟Evening bell, Vespers bell
- dà大zhōng钟bell, large bell
- miǎo秒zhōng钟second
- zhōng钟rǔ乳shí石stalactite
- gǔ古zhōng钟ancient bell, old bell
- liù六diǎn点zhōng钟six o'clock
- měi每fēn分zhōng钟per minute, every minute
- qī七diǎn点zhōng钟Seven o'clock, Seven AM
- shēng生wù物zhōng钟biological clock, body clock
- shí时zhōng钟clock
- zhōng钟biǎo表jiàng匠watchmaker, clockmaker
- zhōng钟gǔ鼓Bells and drums, Bell and drum sounds
Idioms with 钟
- zhōng钟kuí馗zhuō捉guǐ鬼eliminate evil or troublemakers
- chén晨zhōng钟mù暮gǔ鼓awakening words or teachings
- huáng黄zhōng钟wǎ瓦fǔ釜distinguish excellent from inferior
- lǎo老tài态lóng龙zhōng钟old and infirm, doddering
- mù暮gǔ鼓chén晨zhōng钟wake-up call
- qíng情yǒu有dú独zhōng钟have a special liking for
- yī一jiàn见zhōng钟qíng情love at first sight
- zhōng钟dǐng鼎zhī之jiā家A wealthy and influential family
- zhāo朝zhōng钟mù暮gǔ鼓morning bells and evening drums
- dāng当yī一tiān天hé和shang尚zhuàng撞yī一tiān天zhōng钟do minimum work without enthusiasm
- dǐng鼎shí食zhōng钟míng鸣extravagant aristocratic lifestyle
- lǎo老mài迈lóng龙zhōng钟old and decrepit
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Open the tool →Questions about 钟
What does 钟 mean in Chinese?
钟 (zhōng) means “A timekeeping device” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 钟?
钟 is pronounced zhōng in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 钟 have?
钟 has 9 strokes.
How do you write 钟?
钟 is written in 9 strokes, starting from the radical 钅. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 钟?
The radical of 钟 is 钅, and 钟 is a phono-semantic compound.
