Meanings of 霭
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About 霭
Podcast: 霭
Podcast: 霭
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AI Study Notes for 霭
雾 (wù, fog) vs 霭 (ǎi, haze) — use 霭 for a lighter, more serene atmospheric condition, while 雾 implies thicker, denser fog.
Imagine a calm lake shrouded in a gentle fog (霭) that softens the world, making everything look peaceful and beautiful. The top part of the character suggests clouds, while the bottom part resembles a calm surface—together they evoke the idea of misty tranquility.
Be cautious when using 霭 in everyday conversation, as it's more commonly found in literary or poetic contexts rather than casual speech. Common collocations include expressions related to weather or scenery, such as 'misty day' (雾霭的日子). Make sure to use the correct tone (ǎi) to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.
Although 霭 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to HSK Level 4 words like 雾 (wù, fog) and 气 (qì, air), which may also discuss weather or atmospheric conditions. Students should focus on understanding the context in which 霭 is used, especially in literature.
霭 often appears in Chinese poetry and literature, symbolizing peace and the beauty of nature. The presence of fog or haze is significant in Chinese art, often representing the transient nature of life and the beauty of the natural world.
Learners often confuse 霭 with 雾 (wù), which means fog but does not carry the same peaceful connotation. For example, saying '今天有霭' (jīntiān yǒu ǎi, meaning 'there's fog today') is incorrect; use '今天有雾' instead.
Pronunciation of 霭
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Etymology of 霭
Phonosemantic compound. 雨 represents the meaning and 谒 represents the sound. Simplified form of 靄.
rain
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 霭?
Decomposition of 霭
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Write 霭
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Practice writing 霭 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 霭
霭 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.
Complete the Sentence
秋日苦短,暮____正在拢来.
Twilight was closing on the diminished autumn day.
Example Sentences for 霭 (2)
Cultural Notes for 霭
霭 often appears in Chinese poetry and literature, symbolizing peace and the beauty of nature. The presence of fog or haze is significant in Chinese art, often representing the transient nature of life and the beauty of the natural world.
Word Family of 霭
Compound Meaning
What does 雾霭 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 霭
The correct pronunciation is ǎi, with a falling-rising tone.