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炏 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
炏yángrassx, 8 strokes, radical 火
炏yánold variant of 炎[yan2]unknown, 8 strokes, radical 火
炏kàigrassx, 8 strokes, radical 火
炏kàiold variant of 炎[yan2]unknown, 8 strokes, radical 火
kài(kai4)kai
primary
T4
  1. 1grass
  2. 2old variant of 炎[yan2]
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March 24, 2026

炏kài(kai4)

The character 炏 (kài) is an old variant of 炎 (yán), which means 'flame' or 'heat.' It is often used in classical texts and may appear in contexts relating to fire or heat. While it is not commonly used in modern Mandarin, understanding this character can provide insights into historical and literary works.

Strokes8Radical火
Cultural note

In ancient Chinese literature, fire and heat are often symbolic of passion and transformation, making characters related to fire significant in poetry and philosophy. 炏 connects to this rich symbolism in Chinese culture.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'fire' (火) burning brightly, creating 'heat' (炎) that you can almost feel. The top part of 炏 resembles flames, while the bottom suggests the idea of something being 'old' or classical, helping you remember its connection to heat and fire.

Meanings of 炏

kài(kai4)
primary
1grass
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 炏

炏Simplified
8Strokes
火Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 炏

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Podcast: 炏

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AI study notes for 炏

Usage Notes

This character is rarely used in contemporary language, so learners should focus on its more common variant, 炎 (yán). Be cautious with pronunciation; ensure you pronounce it as 'kài,' not confused with similar-sounding characters.

HSK Study Tips

Though not included in the HSK levels, knowing 炏 can enhance your understanding of historical texts where heat or fire is a motif. Focus on other related characters like 炎 (yán) to build a broader vocabulary around this theme.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 炏 with similar characters like 炎 (yán) due to their visual similarities. Remember that 炏 is specifically an old variant and should not be used interchangeably in modern contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 炏

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Jason Explains 炏 to you

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Etymology of 炏

Formation typePictographic 象形
六书 ClassificationPictograph (象形字)~4% of characters
Memory hint

Two blades of grass; compare 艸

Learn more about Pictograph (象形字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 炏?

Decomposition of 炏

IDS Structure⿰火火
炏Full character
=
火Huo3
left
火Huo3
right
Exercise 1 of 1

Parts

Which of these is part of 炏?

How to say grass in Chinese

“grass” in Chinese is炏yán

The character 炏 (kài) is an old variant of 炎 (yán), which means 'flame' or 'heat.' It is often used in classical texts and may appear in contexts relating to fire or heat. While it is not commonly used in modern Mandarin, understanding this character can provide insights into historical and literary works.

When to use 炏

This character is rarely used in contemporary language, so learners should focus on its more common variant, 炎 (yán). Be cautious with pronunciation; ensure you pronounce it as 'kài,' not confused with similar-sounding characters.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 炏 with similar characters like 炎 (yán) due to their visual similarities. Remember that 炏 is specifically an old variant and should not be used interchangeably in modern contexts.

Write 炏

炏

Practice writing 炏 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently asked questions about 炏

No, 炏 is an old variant and not commonly used today; you will more often encounter 炎 (yán) instead.

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