unknown, 11 strokes, radical 石, rank #18472, Very Hard
guī(gui1) T1
1silicon
2silicon (chemistry)
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March 24, 2026
硅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.
Strokes11Radical石Frequency#18472DifficultyVery Hard
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
硅Simplified
11Strokes
石Radical
其它专名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 硅
Podcast: 硅
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AI Study Notes for 硅
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.
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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Drill the tone of 硅 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 圭 represents the sound.
1The meaning half石 carries the sense.
2The sound half圭 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaymineral
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 硅? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 硅?
Decomposition of 硅
IDS Structure⿰石圭
硅Full Character
=
石dan4
left
圭gui1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 硅?
How to say silicon in Chinese
“silicon” in Chinese is硅guī
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.
When to use 硅
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).
What learners get wrong
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).
Write 硅
硅
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Practice writing 硅 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
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.
