针
zhēn · HSK 4
needle
💉 针 = 钅(metal radical) + 十 (ten) — a thin metal sliver
The 钅radical marks metal tools; 十 on the right hints at a small straight shaft. Together: a slim metal point — needle, pin, or the needle of an injection (打针 = get a shot).
针 — metal radical 钅 + 十 (ten, phonetic)
针 means 'needle.' The metal radical 钅 (simplified from 金) shows the needle is made of metal, while 十 originally hinted at the sound. The traditional form 針 uses 咸-like phonetic 咸→ actually 十 served as a simplified phonetic. Over time it came to mean needle, pin, or injection.