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)mei T2
1coal
2carbon, charcoal, coal, coke
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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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 煤 means.
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.
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.
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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How Well Do You Know 煤?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 煤 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
煤 = 火 + 某. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 煤
IDS Structure⿰火某
煤Full Character
=
火Huo3
left
某mou3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 煤?
How to say coal in Chinese
“coal” in Chinese is煤méi
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.
When to use 煤
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).
煤 or something close to it
煤 (méi, coal) vs 煤气 (méiqì, coal gas) — use 煤 when referring to the solid form of coal, not its gaseous byproduct.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 煤
煤
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Practice writing 煤 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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 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.
