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March 24, 2026
汽qì(qi4)
The character 汽 (qì) primarily means 'steam' or 'vapor,' and it is often used in contexts related to heat and energy, such as in cooking or machinery. It can also refer to gasoline, emphasizing its role as a fuel source. In everyday usage, it may appear in terms related to transportation and energy production.
Strokes7Radical氵Frequency#18084DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In China, steam cooking is a prevalent method of food preparation, highlighting the significance of steam (汽) in both culinary practices and traditional cooking methods, such as dim sum.
Memory Tip
Imagine a steaming kettle (汽) whistling away, creating vapor that rises up. The character resembles a kettle with steam escaping, reminding you of its meaning related to steam and vapor, and the 'q' sound can be linked to the quick hissing sound of steam.
Meanings of 汽
qì(qi4)
1steam
2vapor
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 汽
汽Simplified
7Strokes
氵Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#18084Frequency Rank
Podcast: 汽
Podcast: 汽
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AI Study Notes for 汽
Quick Contrast
汽 (qì) vs 蒸汽 (zhēngqì) — use 汽 for general 'steam' or 'vapor', while 蒸汽 specifically refers to 'steam' produced by boiling.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 汽 with 气 (qì), which means 'air' or 'gas.' While both share similar pronunciation, it is important to distinguish them based on context. 汽 is more commonly used in technical or scientific discussions, while 气 can be used more broadly in everyday conversation.
HSK Study Tips
Although 汽 is not specifically listed in the HSK levels, it connects well with other HSK words related to transportation and energy, such as 车 (chē, vehicle) and 电 (diàn, electricity). Focus on using 汽 in compound words and phrases to enhance your vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 汽 when they mean 气, as in saying 汽很好 (qì hěn hǎo, 'the air is good') instead of using 气. Remember to use 汽 for steam or gasoline-related contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 汽
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Drill the tone of 汽 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 气 represents the sound.
1The giveawayLiquid 氵 gas 气; 气 also provides the pronunciation
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 汽? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 汽?
Decomposition of 汽
IDS Structure⿰氵气
汽Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
气qi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 汽?
How to say steam in Chinese
“steam” in Chinese is汽qì
The character 汽 (qì) primarily means 'steam' or 'vapor,' and it is often used in contexts related to heat and energy, such as in cooking or machinery. It can also refer to gasoline, emphasizing its role as a fuel source. In everyday usage, it may appear in terms related to transportation and energy production.
When to use 汽
Learners often confuse 汽 with 气 (qì), which means 'air' or 'gas.' While both share similar pronunciation, it is important to distinguish them based on context. 汽 is more commonly used in technical or scientific discussions, while 气 can be used more broadly in everyday conversation.
汽 or something close to it
汽 (qì) vs 蒸汽 (zhēngqì) — use 汽 for general 'steam' or 'vapor', while 蒸汽 specifically refers to 'steam' produced by boiling.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 汽 when they mean 气, as in saying 汽很好 (qì hěn hǎo, 'the air is good') instead of using 气. Remember to use 汽 for steam or gasoline-related contexts.
Write 汽
汽
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Practice writing 汽 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 汽
汽 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
