钻
Character learning workspace

zuān / zuàn · diamond

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 3.0 · Level 6Frequency #3642
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Learn every stroke in 钻

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

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Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Sound changes meaning

Readings & meanings

钻 has 2 dictionary pronunciations. The examples show how each reading behaves in real words.

zuān

to drill; to bore; to get into

钻空子zuān kòng zi · to take advantage of a loophole
zuàn

drill; auger; diamond

钻石zuàn shí · diamond
Step-by-step explorer

See how 钻 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

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Character anatomy

Understand the reusable parts

The decomposition shows how the visual pieces fit together, not necessarily the character’s historical origin.

Writing notes

Shape and proportion

10Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Left-rightCharacter structure

Keep the left side compact and leave enough room for the right side.

钅Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 钻 writing sheet

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Includes the stroke sequence, progressive tracing, and blank writing squares. Generated locally in your browser.

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 钻

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

zuānto drill; to bore; to get into
zuàndrill; auger; diamond
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Example sentences

Notice where 钻 sits in each complete thought.

Wǒ men bù néng ràng duì fāng zuàn kòngzi.我们不能让对方钻空子。

We can't leave the counterparty any loopholes.

Source: Tatoeba #3709245 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Zhè kē zuàn shí bú shì zhēn de.这颗钻石不是真的。

This diamond is not real.

Source: Tatoeba #335031 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nà bú shì yì kē zhēn zhèng de zuàn shí, duì ma?那不是一颗真正的钻石,对吗?

That's not a real diamond, is it?

Source: Tatoeba #10981527 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Zuàn shí bèi xiāng zài yí gè jīn jiè zhǐ shàng.钻石被镶在一个金戒指上。

The diamond was set in a gold ring.

Source: Tatoeba #465817 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nà xiē shì zhēn zuàn shí ma?那些是真钻石吗?

Are those real diamonds?

Source: Tatoeba #9963114 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā de zuàn shí zài liàng guāng xià shǎn shǎn fā guāng.她的钻石在亮光下闪闪发光。

Her diamond is sparkling under the light.

Source: Tatoeba #2658531 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 钻 in context

  1. Say zuān / zuàn, then recall the core meaning: diamond.
  2. Write all 10 strokes while keeping the left-right balanced.
  3. Use it in 钻空子 (zuān kòng zi), meaning “to take advantage of a loophole”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 钻 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.