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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#18084DifficultyHard
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
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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.
Memory Mnemonic
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.
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.
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.
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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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.
Although the car is basically sound, I was worried about certain areas.
Cultural Notes for 汽
🏮Cultural insight
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.
Word Family of 汽
Words Containing This Character20
汽车qìchēcar汽車
汽油qìyóugasoline
汽qìsteam
汽水qìshuǐsoda
蒸汽steam
公共汽车gōnggòngqìchēbus公共汽車
汽车站bus stop汽車站
小汽车compact car小汽車
汽笛steam whistle
汽艇motor boat
汽化器carburetor
水汽steam
汽缸cylinder (of steam engine or internal combustion engine)
汽修auto repair
汽船steamboat
汽酒sparkling wine
长途汽车long-distance coach長途汽車
汽化to boil
出租汽车taxi出租汽車
蒸汽机steam engine蒸汽機
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 汽车 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 汽
Common phrases include 汽水 (qìshuǐ, soda) and 汽车 (qìchē, car).
The pronunciation is 'qì' with a falling tone, similar to 'chee' but with a sharper 'q' sound.
汽 is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in technical discussions.
