Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
氖 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
氖nǎineonn, 6 strokes, radical 气, rank #39223, Very Hard
氖nǎineon (chemistry)unknown, 6 strokes, radical 气, rank #39223, Very Hard
nǎi(nai3) T3
  1. 1neon
  2. 2neon (chemistry)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

氖nǎi(nai3)

氖 (nǎi) refers to the chemical element neon, which is a colorless, inert gas used in neon signs and fluorescent lights. It is commonly encountered in chemistry contexts, particularly when discussing noble gases or lighting technology.

Strokes6Radical气Frequency#39223DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

Neon signs are a significant aspect of modern urban culture in China, especially in cities like Shanghai and Hong Kong, where vibrant neon displays adorn streets and symbolize nightlife and entertainment.

Memory Tip

Imagine a bright neon sign glowing in the night. The character 氖 has the radical 气 (qì), which means gas, and the component 乃 (nǎi) sounds like 'nigh'—as in, it's 'nigh' time for a colorful display! Picture the gas lighting up your surroundings.

Meanings of 氖

nǎi(nai3)
1neon
2neon (chemistry)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 氖

氖Simplified
6Strokes
气Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 氖

JasonAmy

Podcast: 氖

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 氖

Usage Notes

Keep in mind that 氖 is primarily used in scientific or technical discussions, making it more formal than everyday vocabulary. A common mistake is confusing it with other noble gases like 氦 (hài, helium). Always remember its specific context in relation to neon lighting.

HSK Study Tips

氖 is not an HSK level vocabulary word, but understanding it can connect to scientific terminology found in higher-level studies. Students should focus on recognizing it in chemistry texts and learning related vocabulary like 气体 (qìtǐ, gas) and 元素 (yuánsù, element).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 氖 with similar-looking characters, such as 氦 (hài, helium), which can lead to misunderstanding its usage. Always double-check the context to ensure you are using the correct element.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 氖

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 氖 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 氖

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

Phonosemantic compound. 气 represents the meaning and 乃 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

gas

Semantic (meaning)气
+
Phonetic (sound)乃
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 氖

Phonosemantic compound. 气 represents the meaning and 乃 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half气 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half乃 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaygas
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 氖? 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 氖?

Decomposition of 氖

IDS Structure⿹气乃
氖Full Character
=
气qi4
enclosing
乃nai3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 氖?

How to say neon in Chinese

“neon” in Chinese is氖nǎi

氖 (nǎi) refers to the chemical element neon, which is a colorless, inert gas used in neon signs and fluorescent lights. It is commonly encountered in chemistry contexts, particularly when discussing noble gases or lighting technology.

When to use 氖

Keep in mind that 氖 is primarily used in scientific or technical discussions, making it more formal than everyday vocabulary. A common mistake is confusing it with other noble gases like 氦 (hài, helium). Always remember its specific context in relation to neon lighting.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 氖 with similar-looking characters, such as 氦 (hài, helium), which can lead to misunderstanding its usage. Always double-check the context to ensure you are using the correct element.

Write 氖

氖

Practice writing 氖 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 氖

氖 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 2 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.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

只有冷藏柜上的____灯发出阴惨惨的蓝光.

Only the neon in the cold counter glared a ghostly blue.

Example Sentences for 氖 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
只有冷藏柜上的氖灯发出阴惨惨的蓝光.

zhī yǒu lěng cáng guì shàng de nǎi dēng fā chū yīn cǎn cǎn de lán guāng.

Only the neon in the cold counter glared a ghostly blue.

Word Family of 氖

Words Containing This Character1
氖nǎineon (chemistry)
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 氖 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 氖

氖 stands for neon, a noble gas that is colorless and inert.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 氖?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.