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硒 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
硒xīseleniumn, 11 strokes, radical 石, rank #40281, Very Hard
硒xīselenium (chemistry)unknown, 11 strokes, radical 石, rank #40281, Very Hard
xī(xi1) T1
  1. 1selenium
  2. 2selenium (chemistry)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

硒xī(xi1)

The character 硒 (xī) refers to the chemical element selenium, which is a non-metal that plays a significant role in biology and is used in various industrial applications. It is commonly encountered in discussions about nutrition, chemistry, and environmental science, particularly in relation to its antioxidant properties and potential health benefits.

Strokes11Radical石Frequency#40281DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the importance of minerals like selenium is often discussed in the context of health and nutrition, especially in regions where the soil is deficient in this element, which can lead to health issues.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'sea' (sounds like 'xī') of 'selenium' sparkling under the sun, representing its role in health and industry. The character 硒 is made up of the radical for stone (石) and a component that resembles a sun, hinting at its mineral origins and its bright benefits in small doses.

Meanings of 硒

xī(xi1)
1selenium
2selenium (chemistry)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 硒

硒Simplified
11Strokes
石Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 硒

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Podcast: 硒

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AI Study Notes for 硒

Usage Notes

When using 硒 in conversation, it is mostly utilized in scientific or academic contexts, so be cautious of the register. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar sounding elements like 硅 (silicon), so ensure you remember its unique pronunciation and context.

HSK Study Tips

Although 硒 is not part of the current HSK vocabulary, it connects to other chemistry-related terms and can be a good addition for learners interested in specialized fields. Focus on recognizing its usage in texts related to science and health.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 硒 (selenium) with 硅 (silicon) due to their similar pronunciations. Remember, 硒 is specifically related to health and nutrition, while 硅 relates to technology and materials.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 硒

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Etymology of 硒

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

mineral

Semantic (meaning)石
+
Phonetic (sound)西
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 硒

  1. 1The meaning half石 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half西 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaymineral
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 硒? 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 硒?

Decomposition of 硒

IDS Structure⿰石西
硒Full Character
=
石dan4
left
西Xi1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 硒?

How to say selenium in Chinese

“selenium” in Chinese is硒xī

The character 硒 (xī) refers to the chemical element selenium, which is a non-metal that plays a significant role in biology and is used in various industrial applications. It is commonly encountered in discussions about nutrition, chemistry, and environmental science, particularly in relation to its antioxidant properties and potential health benefits.

When to use 硒

When using 硒 in conversation, it is mostly utilized in scientific or academic contexts, so be cautious of the register. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar sounding elements like 硅 (silicon), so ensure you remember its unique pronunciation and context.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 硒 (selenium) with 硅 (silicon) due to their similar pronunciations. Remember, 硒 is specifically related to health and nutrition, while 硅 relates to technology and materials.

Write 硒

硒

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 硒

Words Containing This Character1
硒xīselenium (chemistry)
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 硒 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 硒

硒 refers to selenium, a trace element essential for human health.

Jason Recommends

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