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March 24, 2026
芥gài(gai4)
The character 芥 (gài) refers to mustard, a type of plant often used in cooking for its distinct flavor. It can also refer to broccoli in certain contexts, particularly in Chinese cuisine, where mustard greens are a popular ingredient. This character is commonly encountered in food-related discussions or recipes.
Strokes7Radical艹Frequency#19226DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, mustard greens are often used in traditional dishes, especially in southern China, where they provide a unique flavor profile. The popularity of these greens reflects the importance of fresh vegetables in Chinese daily meals.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant mustard plant (芥) growing in a garden. The character looks like a sprout (the left radical) with a hint of the mustard color (yellow) all around it. Picture a chef saying 'gài' while harvesting mustard greens to remember the sound.
Meanings of 芥
gài(gai4)
primary
1mustard, broccoli
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 芥
芥Simplified
7Strokes
艹Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 芥
Podcast: 芥
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AI Study Notes for 芥
Usage Notes
Be aware that 芥 is primarily used in culinary contexts, so it's best suited for informal conversations about food. A common mistake is confusing it with similar-sounding characters; ensure you pronounce the tones correctly to avoid miscommunication. Phrases like 芥菜 (mustard greens) are useful collocations.
HSK Study Tips
Though not specifically listed in HSK levels, 芥 can be associated with food vocabulary that students may encounter in HSK 3 or 4. Focus on expanding your culinary vocabulary to include other related terms, such as 蔬菜 (vegetables) and 菜 (dishes).
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 芥 with similar characters like 津 (jīn), which means 'broth'. For example, saying '我喜欢津' (I like jiān) instead of '我喜欢芥' (I like gài) can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 芥
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Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 介 represents the sound.
1The meaning half艹 carries the sense.
2The sound half介 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayplant
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 芥? 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 芥?
Decomposition of 芥
IDS Structure⿱艹介
芥Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
介jie4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 芥?
How to say mustard, broccoli in Chinese
“mustard, broccoli” in Chinese is芥gài
The character 芥 (gài) refers to mustard, a type of plant often used in cooking for its distinct flavor. It can also refer to broccoli in certain contexts, particularly in Chinese cuisine, where mustard greens are a popular ingredient. This character is commonly encountered in food-related discussions or recipes.
When to use 芥
Be aware that 芥 is primarily used in culinary contexts, so it's best suited for informal conversations about food. A common mistake is confusing it with similar-sounding characters; ensure you pronounce the tones correctly to avoid miscommunication. Phrases like 芥菜 (mustard greens) are useful collocations.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 芥 with similar characters like 津 (jīn), which means 'broth'. For example, saying '我喜欢津' (I like jiān) instead of '我喜欢芥' (I like gài) can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 芥
芥
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Practice writing 芥 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 芥
芥 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
到处都是武装分子，视人命如草____。
There were armed people about, people with little regard for human life.
