金文是商周時期鑄刻在青銅器上的銘文，是在甲骨文基礎上發展起來的一種文字。古代青銅器的種類很多，一般分為禮器與樂器兩大類，樂器以鐘為代表，禮器以鼎為代表，故前人將鐘鼎作為古代青銅器的總稱，因此金文也稱為“鐘鼎文”。金文應用的年代起于商代，盛行于周代，下至秦滅六國，有800多年。據統計，金文有3700多字，其中能認識的字有2420個，較甲骨文略多。金文的內容多是關于當時祀典、賜命、詔書、征戰、圍獵、盟約等活動或事件的記錄，反映了當時的社會生活。

Bronze script refers to writings inscribed on bronze ware in the Shang and Zhou dynasties; it was developed from inscriptions on bones and tortoise shells. There were many sub-types of bronze ware in ancient China, but they were roughly under two main categories: sacrificial vessels and musical instruments. Sacrificial vessels were represented by tripod or quadripod cauldrons, and musical instruments, by chimes. Therefore, ancient bronze ware was formerly known as "chimes and cauldrons," and bronze script used to be called "chime and cauldron inscriptions." The use of bronze script began in the Shang Dynasty, grew very popular in the Zhou Dynasty, and declined in the Qin Dynasty, lasting over 800 years. Bronze script contained over 3,700 characters, of which 2,420 are now intelligible, slightly outnumbering the intelligible characters on bones and tortoise shells. Bronze script was mainly records of sacrificial ceremonies, bestowals, announcements of decrees, declarations of war, hunting expeditions, and pledges of allegiance. It reflected life in those historical periods.

引例 Citation：

◎夫鼎有銘，銘者，自名也。自名，以稱揚其先祖之美，而明著之后世者也。（《禮記·祭統》）

鼎上面多鑄刻銘文，“銘”的意思是給自己留名。給自己留名，實際是為了頌揚祖先的美德，讓其堂堂正正傳給后世。

Epigraphs are often inscribed on tripods to leave a name in history and, further, to extol the virtues of one's ancestors so that their reputations can be proudly passed onto posterity. (The Book of Rites)

推薦：教育部 國家語委

供稿：北京外國語大學 外語教學與研究出版社

責任編輯：錢耐安