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    Chinese Grammar

    Understanding the character 金 (jīn) for 'metal' or 'gold'

    Description & Modification
    Numbers & Quantity

    Explanation

    金 (jīn) means "metal" or "gold" and is one of the Five Elements (五行) in Chinese philosophy. In everyday language, 金 often refers to gold or money, as in 金色 (golden color) or 金钱 (money). As an element, it represents strength, rigidity, and autumn.

    Examples

    • 她戴着一条金项链，非常漂亮。

      tā dài zhe yī tiáo jīn xiàngliàn, fēicháng piàoliang.

      She's wearing a gold necklace — it's very beautiful.

    • 金是五行之一，代表秋天。

      jīn shì wǔxíng zhī yī, dàibiǎo qiūtiān.

      Metal is one of the Five Elements, representing autumn.

    • 这枚戒指是纯金的，价格不便宜。

      zhè méi jièzhǐ shì chún jīn de, jiàgé bù piányi.

      This ring is pure gold; it's not cheap.