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芥 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
芥gàimustard, broccolin, 7 strokes, radical 艹, rank #19226, Hard
芥jièmustard, broccolin, 7 strokes, radical 艹, rank #19226, Hard
gài(gai4)
primary
 T4
  1. 1mustard, broccoli
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
芥gài(gai4)

The character 芥 (gài) refers to mustard, a type of plant often used in cooking for its distinct flavor. It can also refer to broccoli in certain contexts, particularly in Chinese cuisine, where mustard greens are a popular ingredient. This character is commonly encountered in food-related discussions or recipes.

Strokes7Radical艹Frequency#19226DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese cuisine, mustard greens are often used in traditional dishes, especially in southern China, where they provide a unique flavor profile. The popularity of these greens reflects the importance of fresh vegetables in Chinese daily meals.

Memory Tip

Imagine a giant mustard plant (芥) growing in a garden. The character looks like a sprout (the left radical) with a hint of the mustard color (yellow) all around it. Picture a chef saying 'gài' while harvesting mustard greens to remember the sound.

Meanings of 芥

gài(gai4)
primary
1mustard, broccoli
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 芥

芥Simplified
7Strokes
艹Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 芥

JasonAmy

Podcast: 芥

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 芥

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a giant mustard plant (芥) growing in a garden. The character looks like a sprout (the left radical) with a hint of the mustard color (yellow) all around it. Picture a chef saying 'gài' while harvesting mustard greens to remember the sound.

Usage Notes

Be aware that 芥 is primarily used in culinary contexts, so it's best suited for informal conversations about food. A common mistake is confusing it with similar-sounding characters; ensure you pronounce the tones correctly to avoid miscommunication. Phrases like 芥菜 (mustard greens) are useful collocations.

HSK Study Tips

Though not specifically listed in HSK levels, 芥 can be associated with food vocabulary that students may encounter in HSK 3 or 4. Focus on expanding your culinary vocabulary to include other related terms, such as 蔬菜 (vegetables) and 菜 (dishes).

Cultural Note

In Chinese cuisine, mustard greens are often used in traditional dishes, especially in southern China, where they provide a unique flavor profile. The popularity of these greens reflects the importance of fresh vegetables in Chinese daily meals.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 芥 with similar characters like 津 (jīn), which means 'broth'. For example, saying '我喜欢津' (I like jiān) instead of '我喜欢芥' (I like gài) can lead to misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 芥

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Etymology of 芥

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

Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 介 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

plant

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 芥?

Decomposition of 芥

IDS Structure⿱艹介
芥Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
介jie4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 芥?

Write 芥

芥

Practice writing 芥 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 芥

芥 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 5

Complete the Sentence

到处都是武装分子，视人命如草____。

There were armed people about, people with little regard for human life.

Example Sentences for 芥 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
到处都是武装分子，视人命如草芥。

dào chǔ dū shì wǔ zhuāng fēn zǐ， ， shì rén mìng rú cǎo。

There were armed people about, people with little regard for human life.
2
我不想我们两个公司间存有什么芥蒂。

wǒ bù xiǎng wǒ mén liǎng gè gōng sī jiān cún yǒu shí mó jiè dì。

I don't want any hard feelings between our companies.
3
在羊肉上刷上薄薄一层第戎产的芥子酱。

zài yáng ròu shàng shuā shàng báo báo yī céng dì róng chǎn de jiè zǐ jiàng。

Thinly paint the lamb with Dijon mustard.
4
我对外国人并无芥蒂。

wǒ duì wài guó rén bìng wú jiè dì。

I have nothing against foreigners.
5
你想找到购物中心可是容易得如拾草芥.

nǐ xiǎng zhǎo dào gòu wù zhōng xīn kě shì róng yì dé rú shí cǎo jiè.

Finding your way to the shopping center is easy as duck.
6
我不爱吃芥末，这东西太辣了。

wǒ bù ài chī jiè mò， ， zhè dōng xī tài là。

I don't like mustard; it is too hot.
7
我不爱吃芥末, 这东西太辣了.

wǒ bù ài chī jiè mò, , zhè dōng xī tài là.

I don't like mustard; it's too hot.
8
这种芥末不很辣.

zhè zhǒng jiè mò bù hěn là.

This mustard does not bite much.
9
胡椒和芥末都是辣的.

hú jiāo hé jiè mò dū shì là de.

Pepper and mustard are hot.
10
给我一份麦克鸡块餐,配辣芥末酱.

gěi wǒ yī fèn mài kè jī kuài cān, , pèi là jiè mò.

Give me a Chicken McNuggets meal with hot mustard sauce.

Cultural Notes for 芥

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese cuisine, mustard greens are often used in traditional dishes, especially in southern China, where they provide a unique flavor profile. The popularity of these greens reflects the importance of fresh vegetables in Chinese daily meals.

Word Family of 芥

Words Containing This Character8
芥末mustard
芥gàiChinese broccoli
芥菜also pr. [gài​cài]
芥蒂barrier
芥兰Chinese broccoli芥蘭
芥子气mustard gas芥子氣
芥蓝Chinese broccoli芥藍
拾芥to pick up cress
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 芥末 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 芥

Common dishes include stir-fried mustard greens and pickled mustard greens, which are often served as side dishes.