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鼐 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鼐nàiincense tripodg, 14 strokes, radical 鼎
nài(nai4)nai T4
  1. 1incense tripod
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March 24, 2026

鼐nài(nai4)

The character 鼐 (nài) refers to a ceremonial incense tripod, typically used in ancient China for offerings to deities or ancestors. It symbolizes respect, reverence, and the importance of ritual in Chinese culture, often associated with significant ceremonies and traditions.

Strokes14Radical鼎
Cultural note

In ancient China, the 鼐 was not just a functional object but also a symbol of authority and governance, often used in state rituals to communicate with ancestors and gods, reflecting the deep-rooted traditions of ancestor worship.

Memory tip

Imagine a giant tripod used to hold fragrant incense in a grand temple. The character 鼐 resembles a tripod with its three legs, while the top part suggests the bowl that holds the incense. Picture the aroma wafting through the air while chanting ancient prayers.

Meanings of 鼐

nài(nai4)
1incense tripod
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 鼐

鼐Simplified
14Strokes
鼎Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 鼐

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AI study notes for 鼐

Usage Notes

This character is rarely used in everyday conversation and is mostly found in historical or literary texts. Be cautious with its pronunciation, as it may be confused with similar-sounding characters. It is often paired with words related to ritual or offerings.

HSK Study Tips

As this character is not part of the HSK vocabulary, learners should focus on its usage in classical texts and cultural contexts. It can help to understand the significance of rituals in Chinese history, connecting to other HSK characters related to ceremonies and respect.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鼐 with similar characters due to its rare usage. For example, saying 'nà' instead of 'nài' is a common mispronunciation. Always remember the correct tone to convey the intended meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鼐

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Etymology of 鼐

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

tripod

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

Origin

鼐 = 鼎 + 乃. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 鼐

IDS Structure⿱乃鼎
鼐Full character
=
乃nai3
top
鼎ding3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 鼐?

How to say incense tripod in Chinese

“incense tripod” in Chinese is鼐nài

The character 鼐 (nài) refers to a ceremonial incense tripod, typically used in ancient China for offerings to deities or ancestors. It symbolizes respect, reverence, and the importance of ritual in Chinese culture, often associated with significant ceremonies and traditions.

When to use 鼐

This character is rarely used in everyday conversation and is mostly found in historical or literary texts. Be cautious with its pronunciation, as it may be confused with similar-sounding characters. It is often paired with words related to ritual or offerings.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 鼐 with similar characters due to its rare usage. For example, saying 'nà' instead of 'nài' is a common mispronunciation. Always remember the correct tone to convey the intended meaning.

Write 鼐

鼐

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

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Word Family of 鼐

Words containing this character1
鼐nàiincense tripod

Frequently asked questions about 鼐

It symbolizes respect and the importance of rituals, especially in ceremonies involving offerings.

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