铸 zhù to melt
to melt; to cast; to mint; to coin
How to remember 铸: 钅 gold + 寿 old age = to melt. To honour grandpa's old age, the family collects their gold rings and asks a smith to melt them into one medal.
Component breakdown
铸 = 钅 gold + 寿 old age
- 钅 gold
- 寿 old age
To honour grandpa's old age, the family collects their gold rings and asks a smith to melt them into one medal.
How it is used
- To cast/found metal: 铸造 (zhùzào) to cast, 铸铁 (zhùtiě) cast iron, 铸币 (zhùbì) to mint coins.
- Figuratively 'to forge/shape' something lasting - 铸就辉煌 (zhùjiù huīhuáng) to forge a brilliant achievement.
- Note the set phrase 铸成大错 (zhùchéng dà cuò) to make an irreversible blunder - a mistake 'cast' like metal, impossible to undo.