铸造 (zhùzào) — to cast; to forge; casting

铸造 (zhùzào)

铸造 refers to the process of casting or forging metal objects by melting and pouring into moulds, and is also used metaphorically to describe the shaping or forging of character, culture, or history.

Meanings

1. [verb/noun] to cast; casting (of metal or other materials)
2. [verb] to forge; to shape; to create (metaphorical, of character or achievement)

Example Sentences

这座铜像由古代工匠精心铸造而成，至今保存完好。 Zhè zuò tóngxiàng yóu gǔdài gōngjiàng jīngxīn zhùzào ér chéng, zhìjīn bǎocún wánhǎo. This bronze statue was carefully cast by ancient craftsmen and has been well preserved to this day.

中国古代的青铜铸造技术在当时世界上处于领先地位。 Zhōngguó gǔdài de qīngtóng zhùzào jìshù zài dāngshí shìjiè shàng chǔyú lǐngxiān dìwèi. Ancient China's bronze casting technology was at the forefront of the world at that time.

这家工厂专门从事精密零件的铸造加工业务。 Zhè jiā gōngchǎng zhuānmén cóngshì jīngmì língjiàn de zhùzào jiāgōng yèwù. This factory specialises in casting and processing precision parts.

数十年的艰苦奋斗铸造了他坚不可摧的意志。 Shù shí nián de jiānkǔ fèndòu zhùzàole tā jiān bù kě cuī de yìzhì. Decades of hard struggle forged his indomitable will.

这段历史铸造了整个民族的集体记忆与文化认同。 Zhè duàn lìshǐ zhùzàole zhěnggè mínzú de jítǐ jìyì yǔ wénhuà rèntóng. This period of history forged the collective memory and cultural identity of the entire nation.

新型合金的铸造工艺正在航空和汽车领域得到广泛应用。 Xīn xíng héjīn de zhùzào gōngyì zhèngzài hángkōng hé qìchē lǐngyù dédào guǎngfàn yìngyòng. The casting process for new alloys is being widely applied in the aviation and automotive fields.

Collocations

Usage Notes

铸造 has both a concrete technical meaning (metal casting, foundry work) and a powerful metaphorical usage to describe the shaping of character, culture, or legacy through struggle or historical experience. The metaphorical phrase 铸造辉煌 (to forge brilliance) is common in political and inspirational rhetoric.

Note the difference from 锻造 (duànzào, to forge by hammering), which involves shaping metal through repeated blows rather than casting. Both words are used metaphorically for "forging" character, often interchangeably in that context.

Memory Hook

铸 (to cast metal, contains the gold radical 金) + 造 (to make/create) = to make something by casting metal.