Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
戉 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
戉yuèhalberd, battle-axezg, 5 strokes, radical 戈
yuè(yue4) T4
  1. 1halberd, battle-axe
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

戉yuè(yue4)

The character 戉 (yuè) refers to a type of ancient weapon, specifically a halberd or battle-axe, commonly used in Chinese warfare. It symbolizes strength and martial prowess and is often mentioned in historical texts and literature, representing the power of a military leader or the intensity of battle.

Strokes5Radical戈
Cultural Note

The 戉 is often associated with traditional Chinese military culture, where such weapons were symbolic of a general's authority and bravery in battle. It reflects the importance of warfare in ancient Chinese society and the valor attributed to warriors.

Memory Tip

Imagine a warrior wielding a 戉 (halberd) in one hand while making a 'yue' sound of battle cries. The left side of the character resembles a shield, while the right side shows the blade of the weapon, reinforcing the idea of protection and attack.

Meanings of 戉

yuè(yue4)
1halberd, battle-axe
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 戉

戉Simplified
5Strokes
戈Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 戉

JasonAmy

Podcast: 戉

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 戉

Usage Notes

When using 戉, be aware that it is a literary term and not commonly used in everyday conversation. It is more frequently found in historical or poetic contexts. Avoid confusing it with similar weapons like 鉞 (yue), which can lead to misinterpretation.

HSK Study Tips

Although 戉 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding this character enriches your knowledge of ancient Chinese military terminology. Focus on recognizing its use in historical texts to deepen your comprehension of Chinese culture and history.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 戉 with similar weapon characters like 鉞 (yue), mistakenly using them interchangeably. It's important to distinguish between them based on the specific type of weapon they refer to.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 戉

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 戉 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 戉

Formation TypePictographic 象形
六书 ClassificationPictograph (象形字)~4% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of a battle-axe, similar to 戈, 戊, and 戌. Now written as 鉞.

Memory Hint

An axe swinging to the left

Learn more about Pictograph (象形字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 戉

Pictograph of a battle-axe, similar to 戈, 戊, and 戌. Now written as 鉞.

  1. 1The giveawayAn axe swinging to the left
  2. 2On the record aspictographic — someone drew the thing itself.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 戉? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 戉?

Decomposition of 戉

IDS Structure⿰?戈
戉Full Character
=
戈Ge1
left
Exercise 1 of 1

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 戉?

How to say halberd, battle-axe in Chinese

“halberd, battle-axe” in Chinese is戉yuè

The character 戉 (yuè) refers to a type of ancient weapon, specifically a halberd or battle-axe, commonly used in Chinese warfare. It symbolizes strength and martial prowess and is often mentioned in historical texts and literature, representing the power of a military leader or the intensity of battle.

When to use 戉

When using 戉, be aware that it is a literary term and not commonly used in everyday conversation. It is more frequently found in historical or poetic contexts. Avoid confusing it with similar weapons like 鉞 (yue), which can lead to misinterpretation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 戉 with similar weapon characters like 鉞 (yue), mistakenly using them interchangeably. It's important to distinguish between them based on the specific type of weapon they refer to.

Write 戉

戉

Practice writing 戉 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 戉

Words Containing This Character1
戉yuèbattle-ax
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 戉 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 戉

No, 戉 is primarily used in historical contexts and literature, not in everyday conversation.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 戉?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.