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氖 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
nǎineonn, 6 strokes, radical 气, rank #39223, Very Hard
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
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.

Strokes6RadicalFrequency#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

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

Podcast: 氖

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 氖

Memory Mnemonic

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.

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).

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.

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

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 氖?

Decomposition of 氖

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

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 氖?

Write 氖

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 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)

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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.

Cultural Notes for 氖

🏮Cultural insight

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.

Word Family of 氖

Words Containing This Character1
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.