HSK 6, n, 13 strokes, radical 火, rank #13682, Hard
煤
méi
>块[kuài]
HSK 6, n, 13 strokes, radical 火, rank #13682, Hard
煤
méi
carbon, charcoal, coal, coke
HSK 6, n, 13 strokes, radical 火, rank #13682, Hard
méi(mei2) T2
1coal
2>块[kuài]
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March 24, 2026
煤méi(mei2)
煤 (méi) refers to coal, a black or brownish-black sedimentary rock used primarily as a fuel source. It is also associated with carbon-based materials like charcoal and coke, commonly utilized in energy production and industrial processes.
Strokes13Radical火Frequency#13682DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
Coal has played a significant role in China's industrial development and energy production, especially during the 20th century. It is often associated with the country's rapid urbanization and the environmental challenges that have arisen from heavy reliance on coal.
Memory Tip
Imagine a dark 'coal mine' where a miner named 'Mei' digs for black 'coal'. The character 煤 contains the radical 火 (fire), reminding you that coal is used to produce heat and energy. Visualize Mei tending to a fire with coal to remember the pronunciation.
Meanings of 煤
méi(mei2)
1coal
2carbon, charcoal, coal, coke
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 煤
煤Simplified
13Strokes
火Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#13682Frequency Rank
块Measure Word
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 煤
Podcast: 煤
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AI Study Notes for 煤
Quick Contrast
煤 (méi, coal) vs 煤气 (méiqì, coal gas) — use 煤 when referring to the solid form of coal, not its gaseous byproduct.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a dark 'coal mine' where a miner named 'Mei' digs for black 'coal'. The character 煤 contains the radical 火 (fire), reminding you that coal is used to produce heat and energy. Visualize Mei tending to a fire with coal to remember the pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 煤 with other characters like 碳 (tàn) which means carbon. This word is primarily used in informal contexts, but it can also appear in formal discussions about energy and resources. Common collocations include 煤炭 (méitàn - coal) and 煤矿 (méikuàng - coal mine).
HSK Study Tips
煤 is not included in the HSK levels but is important for learners interested in topics related to energy or the environment. Students should focus on related vocabulary like 煤矿 (coal mine) to build a broader context.
Cultural Note
Coal has played a significant role in China's industrial development and energy production, especially during the 20th century. It is often associated with the country's rapid urbanization and the environmental challenges that have arisen from heavy reliance on coal.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 煤 when referring to carbon in general, which is actually 碳 (tàn). Another common error is mispronouncing the tone; ensure you use the rising tone 'méi' correctly.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 煤
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Grammar Patterns of 煤
煤 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.
In two years, the British coal industry will be dead and buried.
10
他分到的那一点点煤气必须留着急用。
tā fēn dào de nà yī diǎn diǎn méi qì bì xū liú zháo jí yòng。
His meager allotment of gas had to be saved for emergencies.
Cultural Notes for 煤
🏮Cultural insight
Coal has played a significant role in China's industrial development and energy production, especially during the 20th century. It is often associated with the country's rapid urbanization and the environmental challenges that have arisen from heavy reliance on coal.
Word Family of 煤
Words Containing This Character17
煤méicoal
煤气méiqìcoal gas煤氣
煤矿méikuàngcoal mine煤礦
煤炭méitàncoal
煤油kerosene
采煤coal mining採煤
燃煤coal fuel
煤灰soot
煤球charcoal briquette
原煤raw coal
煤渣slack
煤层a coal bed煤層
无烟煤anthracite無煙煤
泥煤peat
煤田a coalfield
煤层气coalbed methane煤層氣
煤矸石waste rock (in coal mining)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 煤 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 煤
It is pronounced as 'méi' with a rising tone.
The classifier is 塊 (kuài), used to count chunks or pieces of coal.
Yes, it can refer to charcoal or coke, but primarily it means coal.
