How many strokes does the Chinese character "金" (jīn) have?
"金" has 8 strokes in Simplified Chinese. Its primary dictionary radical is 金, and you can animate or practice writing every stroke in order using the interactive grid on this page.
Ready · 8 strokes
Speed:
Nature & Elements
Name: Use with Caution
Tattoo: Caution Alone
金 Gold in Chinese (jīn)
Dictionary Summary
金 (jīn) means surname Jin; surname Kim (Korean); Jurchen Jin dynasty (1115–1234). Simplified form has 8 strokes under radical 金.
Pinyin & Tonejīn (Tone 1)
Simplified / Trad.金 / 金
Radical金
Total Strokes8 strokes
StructureTop–Bottom (人 + 王 + 丷)
Unicode / LevelU+91D1 · HSK 2
Native Naming & Tattoo Safety Review
🪪 Using “金” in a Chinese Name · Use with Caution (Masculine-leaning)
Common as a surname (Jin), yet using 金 in a given name (like 金财 or 金宝) can come across as materialistic or old-fashioned. Refined options like 锦 (brocade) or 铭 (engrave) carry nobler elegance.
✒️ Using “金” for a Tattoo · Caution Alone
Standalone 金 reads like 'cash/money' or a pawnshop sign. Avoid tattooing 金 by itself unless part of a specific philosophical phrase.
Character Etymology & CC-CEDICT Meanings
Origin & Visual Logic: Depicts metal ore nuggets buried under a roof/earth cover—metal, bronze, and gold.
| Traditional / Simplified | Pinyin | CC-CEDICT Definitions |
|---|---|---|
| 金 / 金 | Jīn | surname Jin; surname Kim (Korean); Jurchen Jin dynasty (1115–1234) |
| 金 / 金 | jīn | gold; chemical element Au; generic term for lustrous and ductile metals |
Lexical entries derived from CC-CEDICT (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Make Me a Hanzi (APL / LGPL-3.0).
Common Words & Idioms Using “金”
| Chinese Word | Pinyin | English Meaning | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 黄金 | huángjīn | gold | |
| 金秋 | jīnqiū | golden autumn | |
| 真金 | zhēnjīn | pure gold; true worth |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "金" good to use in a real Chinese name?
Rating: Use with Caution (Masculine-leaning). Common as a surname (Jin), yet using 金 in a given name (like 金财 or 金宝) can come across as materialistic or old-fashioned. Refined options like 锦 (brocade) or 铭 (engrave) carry nobler elegance.
Is "金" safe as a Chinese character tattoo?
Tattoo rating: Caution Alone. Standalone 金 reads like 'cash/money' or a pawnshop sign. Avoid tattooing 金 by itself unless part of a specific philosophical phrase.