When combined, 金文 (jīnwén) forms the very literal and descriptive term “metal-writing” or “writing on metal.”
Jinwen represents a significant evolution in the function of writing in ancient China. While the earlier Oracle Bone Script (甲骨文) was used almost exclusively for divination—asking questions to the gods and ancestors—Jinwen was used for commemoration and administration. These inscriptions were meant to be permanent records, broadcasting the achievements and authority of the living to both the ancestors and future generations. A useful Western comparison is not to a style of handwriting, but to the inscriptions on Roman Triumphal Arches or the cornerstones of major cathedrals. Both were made on durable, high-status materials (marble, bronze) and served to immortalize a specific event, person, or declaration for posterity. However, a key cultural difference is the context: Jinwen was cast on ritual vessels (青铜器, qīngtóngqì) used in ceremonies to honor ancestors. This links the act of writing directly to the core cultural values of ancestor worship, lineage, and the “Mandate of Heaven,” where a ruler's legitimacy was tied to both their earthly power and ancestral approval. The creation of a bronze vessel with a long inscription was a display of immense wealth, power, and piety.
As a historical term, you will almost never hear “Jinwen” in casual daily conversation. Its usage is confined to specific, educated contexts.