HSK 7, ng, 10 strokes, radical 氵, rank #12671, Hard
涅
niè
abbr. for 涅槃[nie4 pan2]
HSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 氵, rank #12671, Hard
niè(nie4) T4
1to blacken; slime, black mud
2abbr. for 涅槃[nie4 pan2]
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March 24, 2026
涅niè(nie4)
The character 涅 (niè) primarily means 'to blacken' or 'to darken,' often associated with the concept of black mud or slime. It is commonly used in the context of transformation, particularly in spiritual or philosophical discussions, such as in the term 涅槃 (nièpán), which refers to 'nirvana.' This character conveys a sense of deep, often murky change.
Strokes10Radical氵Frequency#12671DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of 涅槃 (nirvana) is deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy, representing the ultimate state of liberation and freedom from suffering. The character 涅 symbolizes the transformative journey one undergoes to reach this state.
Memory Tip
Imagine a pot of black mud (the meaning of 涅) where you're trying to transform something into a beautiful lotus. The character's form has water (氵) on the left, hinting at its association with liquid, and the right side resembles a 'dark' or 'blackened' element. Picture this pot of mud to remember both the pronunciation 'niè' and its meaning.
Meanings of 涅
niè(nie4)
1to blacken; slime, black mud
2abbr. for 涅槃[nie4 pan2]
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 涅
涅Simplified
10Strokes
氵Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 涅
Podcast: 涅
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AI Study Notes for 涅
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a pot of black mud (the meaning of 涅) where you're trying to transform something into a beautiful lotus. The character's form has water (氵) on the left, hinting at its association with liquid, and the right side resembles a 'dark' or 'blackened' element. Picture this pot of mud to remember both the pronunciation 'niè' and its meaning.
Usage Notes
涅 is not commonly used in everyday conversation but is seen in formal or literary contexts. Learners should be careful not to confuse it with similar sounding characters, and to use it appropriately in philosophical discussions, especially related to Buddhism. Remember that it's often seen in compound words.
HSK Study Tips
Since 涅 is not an HSK level character, focus on its usage in advanced vocabulary, particularly in philosophical texts. Connect it with other characters from the same level that discuss transformation or change, such as 变 (biàn) and 化 (huà). Practice recognizing it in context to deepen understanding.
Cultural Note
The concept of 涅槃 (nirvana) is deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy, representing the ultimate state of liberation and freedom from suffering. The character 涅 symbolizes the transformative journey one undergoes to reach this state.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 涅 with similar-sounding characters like 叶 (yè, leaf) or 液 (yè, liquid), leading to incorrect usage. Always remember that 涅 specifically relates to blackening or transformation.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 涅
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Grammar Patterns of 涅
涅 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 4
Complete the Sentence
尼科尔斯动身去他在康____狄格州的偏僻农舍了。
Nichols set off for his remote farmhouse in Connecticut.
Example Sentences for 涅 (4)
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1
尼科尔斯动身去他在康涅狄格州的偏僻农舍了。
ní kē ěr sī dòng shēn qù tā zài kāng niè dí gé zhōu de piān pì nóng shě le。
Nichols set off for his remote farmhouse in Connecticut.
2
她正骑车行进在贡比涅附近的乡村道路上。
tā zhèng qí chē háng jìn zài gòng bǐ niè fù jìn de xiāng cūn dào lù shàng。
She was cycling along a country road near Compiegne.
Connecticut agreed to end its segregation of prison inmates suffering from AIDS.
4
普京对聚集在这座城市的蜿蜒的涅瓦河畔的世界各国领导人这样说道.
pǔ jīng duì jù jí zài zhè zuò chéng shì de wān yán de niè wǎ hé pàn de shì jiè gè guó lǐng dǎo rén zhè yàng shuō dào.
Putin told world leaders gathering along the city's winding Neva River.
Cultural Notes for 涅
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of 涅槃 (nirvana) is deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy, representing the ultimate state of liberation and freedom from suffering. The character 涅 symbolizes the transformative journey one undergoes to reach this state.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While 'nirvana' in Western contexts often refers to a state of bliss, in Chinese culture, 涅槃 encompasses a more profound sense of release from the cycle of rebirth and suffering, emphasizing spiritual enlightenment.
Word Family of 涅
Words Containing This Character8
涅nièto blacken
康涅狄格州Connecticut, US state
康涅狄格Connecticut, US state
勃列日涅夫Leonid Brezhnev (1906-1982), Soviet statesman, General Secretary of the Communist Party of the USSR 1966-1982
