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太阳 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
太阳tàiyángsunHSK 3, ns, 10 strokes, rank #1840, Medium
太阳tàiyángabbr. for 太陽穴HSK 3, ns, 10 strokes, rank #1840, Medium
太阳tàiyángabbr. for 太陽穴|太阳穴[tai4 yang2 xue2]HSK 3, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #1840, Medium
tàiyáng(tai4yang2)tai yang T4
  1. 1sun
  2. 2abbr. for 太陽穴
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March 24, 2026

太阳(太陽)tàiyáng(tai4yang2)

太阳 (tài yáng) means 'the sun' and refers to the star at the center of our solar system, which is vital for life on Earth. It is commonly used in contexts related to weather, time of day, and nature, as well as in idiomatic expressions about brightness and positivity.

Strokes10Frequency#1840DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the sun represents life, energy, and good fortune. Festivals like the Spring Festival often celebrate the return of the sun and the warmth it brings to the earth, symbolizing renewal and hope.

Memory Tip

Imagine two bright eyes (the radicals 日 for 'sun' and 太 for 'too much') looking up at the sun, representing warmth and brightness. This can help you remember '太阳' sounds like 'tie young', as in 'tie your young ones to the warmth of the sun.'

Meanings of 太阳

tàiyáng(tai4yang2)
1sun
2abbr. for 太陽穴
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About 太阳

太阳Simplified
太陽Traditional
10Strokes
—Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#1840Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

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Podcast: 太阳

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AI Study Notes for 太阳

Quick Contrast

日 (rì) vs 太阳 (tài yáng): Use 太阳 when specifically referring to the sun as a star, while 日 can refer to the sun but also means 'day' in broader contexts.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 太阳 with other similar words like 明 (míng, bright) or 光 (guāng, light). This term is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is particularly frequent in discussions about weather and nature. Remember that 太阳 is always pronounced with the 4th tone for 'tài' and the 2nd tone for 'yáng'.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 3 word, 太阳 is often used alongside other vocabulary related to nature and the environment, such as 天气 (tiān qì, weather) and 月亮 (yuè liàng, moon). Students should focus on its usage in sentences and practice vocabulary related to time and weather.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 太阳 by using the wrong tones, such as saying 'tái yáng' instead of 'tài yáng'. Another common mistake is using it in contexts where '光' (light) is more appropriate, like saying '太阳 shines' instead of '阳光 shines'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 太阳

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Component Characters

太tàihighest
HSK 14 strokes大
View full entry
阳yángpositive (electric.)
HSK 56 strokes阝
View full entry

How to say sun in Chinese

“sun” in Chinese is太阳tàiyáng

太阳 (tài yáng) means 'the sun' and refers to the star at the center of our solar system, which is vital for life on Earth. It is commonly used in contexts related to weather, time of day, and nature, as well as in idiomatic expressions about brightness and positivity.

When to use 太阳

Be careful not to confuse 太阳 with other similar words like 明 (míng, bright) or 光 (guāng, light). This term is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is particularly frequent in discussions about weather and nature. Remember that 太阳 is always pronounced with the 4th tone for 'tài' and the 2nd tone for 'yáng'.

太阳 or something close to it

日 (rì) vs 太阳 (tài yáng): Use 太阳 when specifically referring to the sun as a star, while 日 can refer to the sun but also means 'day' in broader contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mispronounce 太阳 by using the wrong tones, such as saying 'tái yáng' instead of 'tài yáng'. Another common mistake is using it in contexts where '光' (light) is more appropriate, like saying '太阳 shines' instead of '阳光 shines'.

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太
阳

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Frequently Asked Questions about 太阳

You can say '阳光' (yáng guāng), which literally translates to 'sunlight'.

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