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氡 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
dōngradong, 9 strokes, radical 气, rank #37785, Very Hard
dōngradon (chemistry)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 气, rank #37785, Very Hard
dōng(dong1) T1
  1. 1radon
  2. 2radon (chemistry)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
dōng(dong1)

氡 (dōng) refers specifically to radon, a colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that is a byproduct of uranium decay. It is commonly discussed in the context of chemistry and environmental science, particularly regarding its health implications and presence in certain geological areas.

Strokes9RadicalFrequency#37785DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In China, discussions around 氡 have become increasingly relevant due to the country's focus on environmental issues and public health, especially concerning air quality and radiation safety in homes and buildings.

Memory Tip

Think of the character 氡 as a 'gas cloud' with the radical 气 (air, gas) at the top and the component 'dong' (冬, winter) below, suggesting a cold, invisible gas that can be harmful. Imagine a winter storm of invisible radon gas swirling around, making it memorable.

Meanings of 氡

dōng(dong1)
1radon
2radon (chemistry)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 氡

Simplified
9Strokes
Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 氡

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 氡

Memory Mnemonic

Think of the character 氡 as a 'gas cloud' with the radical 气 (air, gas) at the top and the component 'dong' (冬, winter) below, suggesting a cold, invisible gas that can be harmful. Imagine a winter storm of invisible radon gas swirling around, making it memorable.

Usage Notes

氡 is primarily used in scientific contexts, particularly in discussions about environmental health and nuclear chemistry. Learners should avoid using it in casual conversation, as it may not be understood by non-specialists. The correct pronunciation is crucial; mispronouncing it as 'long' could lead to confusion.

HSK Study Tips

While 氡 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, understanding it can enhance learners' chemistry-related language skills. Focus on familiarizing yourself with related terms in the sciences, as they often utilize similar structures and radicals.

Cultural Note

In China, discussions around 氡 have become increasingly relevant due to the country's focus on environmental issues and public health, especially concerning air quality and radiation safety in homes and buildings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 氡 with similar-sounding words, leading to incorrect usage. For example, mistaking it for 冬 (dōng, winter) when discussing seasons instead of its chemical context. Be sure to use it specifically for radon.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 氡

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Etymology of 氡

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

gas

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 氡?

Decomposition of 氡

IDS Structure⿹气冬
Full Character
=
qi4
enclosing
dong1
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 氡?

Write 氡

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 氡

氡 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

众所周知,大量的____会对人体造成伤害。

Radon is known to be harmful to humans in large quantities.

Example Sentences for 氡 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
众所周知,大量的氡会对人体造成伤害。

zhòng suǒ zhōu zhī, , dà liáng de dōng huì duì rén tǐ zào chéng shāng。

Radon is known to be harmful to humans in large quantities.

Cultural Notes for 氡

🏮Cultural insight

In China, discussions around 氡 have become increasingly relevant due to the country's focus on environmental issues and public health, especially concerning air quality and radiation safety in homes and buildings.

Word Family of 氡

Words Containing This Character1
dōngradon (chemistry)
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 氡 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 氡

氡 refers to radon, a radioactive gas that is a byproduct of uranium decay.