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硅 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
guīsiliconnz, 11 strokes, radical 石, rank #18472, Hard
guīsilicon (chemistry)unknown, 11 strokes, radical 石, rank #18472, Hard
guī(gui1) T1
  1. 1silicon
  2. 2silicon (chemistry)
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March 24, 2026

guī(gui1)

硅 (guī) refers to silicon, a chemical element that is essential in various technological applications, particularly in electronics and materials science. It is commonly used in the manufacturing of semiconductors and solar cells due to its conductive properties. In everyday contexts, it may also relate to discussions about technology or materials used in construction.

Strokes11RadicalFrequency#18472DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

Silicon plays a crucial role in China's technology landscape, especially in the development of the semiconductor industry, which is vital for the nation's economic growth and technological advancements.

Memory Tip

Think of 硅 (guī) as a 'gray' element (silicon is often associated with the color gray in its raw form). The character has a radical for 'stone' (石) on the left, hinting at its mineral origins, while the right part (圭) can remind you of tools or devices, connecting silicon to technology.

Meanings of 硅

guī(gui1)
1silicon
2silicon (chemistry)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 硅

Simplified
11Strokes
Radical
其它专名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 硅

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AI Study Notes for 硅

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 硅 (guī) as a 'gray' element (silicon is often associated with the color gray in its raw form). The character has a radical for 'stone' (石) on the left, hinting at its mineral origins, while the right part (圭) can remind you of tools or devices, connecting silicon to technology.

Usage Notes

硅 (guī) is a technical term primarily used in scientific and industrial contexts, so it may not be encountered in casual conversation. Be cautious with pronunciation; ensure the tone is correct as it is level 1 (first tone) to avoid confusion with other words. Common collocations include 硅材料 (silicon materials) and 硅晶体 (silicon crystal).

HSK Study Tips

Though 硅 (guī) is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it is relevant for learners at more advanced levels, particularly those interested in science and technology vocabulary. Students should focus on related terms like 硅谷 (Silicon Valley) and related concepts in electronics and chemistry.

Cultural Note

Silicon plays a crucial role in China's technology landscape, especially in the development of the semiconductor industry, which is vital for the nation's economic growth and technological advancements.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 硅 (guī) with similar-sounding words, such as 鬼 (guǐ, ghost) due to the tonal difference. Remember, 硅 has a high, level tone (guī), while 鬼 has a falling tone (guǐ).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 硅

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Etymology of 硅

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 圭 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

mineral

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 硅?

Decomposition of 硅

IDS Structure⿰石圭
Full Character
=
dan4
left
gui1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 硅?

Write 硅

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

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Grammar Patterns of 硅

硅 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

设计____芯片模仿人的器官听上去是异想天开。

Designing silicon chips to mimic human organs sounds fanciful.

Example Sentences for 硅 (7)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
设计硅芯片模仿人的器官听上去是异想天开。

shè jì guī xīn piàn mó fǎng rén de qì guān tīng shàng qù shì yì xiǎng tiān kāi。

Designing silicon chips to mimic human organs sounds fanciful.
2
含矿主岩整合地上覆于硅质燧石角砾石带之上.

hán kuàng zhǔ yán zhěng hé dì shàng fù yú guī zhì suì shí jiǎo lì shí dài zhī shàng.

The host rock conformably overlies a band of siliceous chertybrecia.
3
硅酮隆胸植入物

guī tóng lóng xiōng zhí rù wù

a silicone breast implant
4
硅渣结垢机理为结晶结垢和微颗粒沉积结垢混合机理.

guī zhā jié gòu jī lǐ wéi jié jīng jié gòu hé wēi kē lì chén jī jié gòu hùn hé jī lǐ.

The fouling mechanism is crystallization fouling combined with particulate fouling.
5
硅烷偶联剂亦用于许多通用的砂子环氧型复合材料中.

guī wán ǒu lián jì yì yòng yú xǔ duō tōng yòng de shā zǐ huán yǎng xíng fù hé cái liào zhōng.

Silane coupling agents are also used in many commercial sand - epoxy - type composites.
6
硅橡胶和熟石膏作铸模亦已取得成功.

guī xiàng jiāo hé shú shí gāo zuò zhù mó yì yǐ qǔ dé chéng gōng.

Silicone rubber and plaster of Paris have been used successfully.
7
它们都是钾和钙的铝硅酸盐类.

tā mén dū shì jiǎ hé gài de lǚ guī suān yán lèi.

They are alumino - silicates of sodium . potassium and calcium.

Cultural Notes for 硅

🏮Cultural insight

Silicon plays a crucial role in China's technology landscape, especially in the development of the semiconductor industry, which is vital for the nation's economic growth and technological advancements.

Word Family of 硅

Words Containing This Character17
guīsilicon (chemistry)
硅谷Silicon Valley
硅胶silica gel硅膠
硅酸盐silicate硅酸鹽
二氧化硅silicon dioxide (SiO2)
硅石siliceous rock
硅酸silicic acid
硅藻diatom (single-celled phytoplankton)
硅酮silicone
硅片silicon chip
可控硅thyristor
硅橡胶silicone rubber硅橡膠
碳化硅silicon carbide
硅质岩siliceous rock (mostly composed of silica)硅質岩
硅化木petrified wood (geology)
硅灰石wollastonite CaSiO3
硅晶片silicon chip
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 硅 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 硅

Silicon is essential in electronics, serving as a key material for semiconductors, which are the building blocks of computers and smartphones.