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March 24, 2026
天tiān(tian1)
The character 天 (tiān) primarily means 'sky' or 'heaven,' and it can also refer to 'day' in certain contexts. It is commonly used in phrases related to weather, the universe, and celestial concepts, embodying a sense of vastness and divinity.
Strokes4Radical大Frequency#88DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 天 is often associated with the concept of 'Tian' as a divine force or authority, influencing philosophical thoughts such as Confucianism. It is also central to traditional beliefs about destiny and nature.
Memory Tip
Imagine looking up at a bright blue sky (天) during the day. The character resembles a roof or cover over you, representing the heavens above. The pronunciation 'tiān' sounds like 'tian,' which can remind you of 'ten,' as in ten fingers reaching up to touch the sky.
Meanings of 天
tiān(tian1)
1day
2sky
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 天
天Simplified
4Strokes
大Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#88Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 天
Podcast: 天
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AI Study Notes for 天
Quick Contrast
天 (tiān) vs 天空 (tiānkōng) — use 天 for 'heaven' or 'day' and 天空 specifically for 'sky' as a physical space.
Usage Notes
天 is used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with its use in idiomatic expressions. Common collocations include 天气 (tiānqì - weather) and 最高天 (zuìgāo tiān - highest heaven). Do not confuse it with 地 (dì - earth), which represents the opposite.
HSK Study Tips
Although 天 is not specifically listed under a particular HSK level, it connects with other basic vocabulary related to nature and daily life, such as 日 (rì - sun) and 月 (yuè - moon). Focus on its usage in combinations and phrases to enhance understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 天 with 地 (dì) and may incorrectly use one for the other. For example, saying '地气' instead of '天气' when referring to 'weather' is a common mistake.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 天
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Pictograph of a line above a person, representing the sky.
1The giveawayThe heavens 一 above a man 大
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 天? 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 天?
Decomposition of 天
IDS Structure⿱一大
天Full Character
=
一yi1
top
大da4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 天?
How to say day in Chinese
“day” in Chinese is天tiān
The character 天 (tiān) primarily means 'sky' or 'heaven,' and it can also refer to 'day' in certain contexts. It is commonly used in phrases related to weather, the universe, and celestial concepts, embodying a sense of vastness and divinity.
When to use 天
天 is used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with its use in idiomatic expressions. Common collocations include 天气 (tiānqì - weather) and 最高天 (zuìgāo tiān - highest heaven). Do not confuse it with 地 (dì - earth), which represents the opposite.
天 or something close to it
天 (tiān) vs 天空 (tiānkōng) — use 天 for 'heaven' or 'day' and 天空 specifically for 'sky' as a physical space.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 天 with 地 (dì) and may incorrectly use one for the other. For example, saying '地气' instead of '天气' when referring to 'weather' is a common mistake.
Write 天
天
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Practice writing 天 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 天
天 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 4 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.
