Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
天空tiānkōng(tian1kong1)
天空 (tiānkōng) refers to the expanse of air or atmosphere above the Earth, commonly translated as 'sky.' It is used in both literal and figurative contexts, such as describing the weather, celestial phenomena, or symbolic concepts like freedom and dreams.
Strokes12Frequency#3009DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the sky is often associated with freedom and aspirations, reflected in idioms like '仰望天空' (looking up at the sky), which symbolizes hope and ambition. Additionally, traditional Chinese poetry often celebrates the beauty of the sky.
Memory Tip
Imagine looking up at the sky (天空) and seeing a '天' (heaven) above you and a vast '空' (empty space) that stretches endlessly. The pronunciation 'tian' sounds like 'tien' in 'ten,' and 'kong' resembles 'cone,' as if the sky is a large cone-shaped void above.
Meanings of 天空
tiānkōng(tian1kong1)
1sky
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 天空
天空Simplified
12Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3009Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 天空
Podcast: 天空
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 天空
Quick Contrast
云 (yún, cloud) - use 天空 when referring to the entire expanse above, while 云 specifically denotes the visible water vapor in that expanse.
Usage Notes
In everyday conversation, '天空' is often used in descriptive phrases, such as '蓝天' (blue sky) or '阴天' (overcast sky). A common mistake is to confuse it with '气候' (climate), which refers to weather patterns rather than the sky itself. Use '天空' in both formal and informal settings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, '天空' connects with other vocabulary related to nature and the environment, such as '云' (cloud) and '星星' (star). Focus on using '天空' in sentences to describe weather or feelings associated with the sky.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '天空' with '天' (heaven) or '空' (empty), leading to phrases like '天空' which is incorrect. The correct term is '天空' to refer to the sky.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 天空
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 天空 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
天空 (tiānkōng) refers to the expanse of air or atmosphere above the Earth, commonly translated as 'sky.' It is used in both literal and figurative contexts, such as describing the weather, celestial phenomena, or symbolic concepts like freedom and dreams.
When to use 天空
In everyday conversation, '天空' is often used in descriptive phrases, such as '蓝天' (blue sky) or '阴天' (overcast sky). A common mistake is to confuse it with '气候' (climate), which refers to weather patterns rather than the sky itself. Use '天空' in both formal and informal settings.
天空 or something close to it
云 (yún, cloud) - use 天空 when referring to the entire expanse above, while 云 specifically denotes the visible water vapor in that expanse.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse '天空' with '天' (heaven) or '空' (empty), leading to phrases like '天空' which is incorrect. The correct term is '天空' to refer to the sky.
Write 天空
天
空
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 天空 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 天空
天空 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.
