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干燥 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
干燥gānzàoto dry (of weather, paint, cement etc)HSK 6, a, 20 strokes, rank #10578, Hard
干燥gānzàodesiccationHSK 6, a, 20 strokes, rank #10578, Hard
干燥gānzàodullHSK 6, a, 20 strokes, rank #10578, Hard
干燥gānzàouninterestingHSK 6, a, 20 strokes, rank #10578, Hard
干燥gānzàoaridHSK 6, a, 20 strokes, rank #10578, Hard
gānzào(gan1zao4)gan zao T1
  1. 1to dry (of weather, paint, cement etc)
  2. 2desiccation
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March 24, 2026

干燥(乾燥)gānzào(gan1zao4)

干燥 (gānzào) refers to the state of being dry, often used to describe weather conditions, substances like paint and cement, or even a lack of interest in a topic. It can convey both a physical dryness and a figurative sense of dullness or lack of excitement, making it versatile in various contexts.

Strokes20Frequency#10578DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussions about weather often include references to dryness, as it can significantly impact agriculture and daily life. The term is commonly used in weather forecasts, reflecting the importance of weather conditions in planning and lifestyle.

Memory Tip

Imagine a dry desert with cracked earth under a scorching sun, where nothing grows – this represents '干燥' (gānzào). The first character, 干, looks like an open hand, as if it is saying 'Stop! No moisture here!' The second character, 燥, has elements that suggest something is rough or cracked, emphasizing dryness.

Meanings of 干燥

gānzào(gan1zao4)
1to dry (of weather, paint, cement etc)
2desiccation
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 干燥

干燥Simplified
乾燥Traditional
20Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#10578Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 干燥

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Podcast: 干燥

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AI Study Notes for 干燥

Quick Contrast

干枯 (gānkū) refers specifically to being withered or shriveled, typically in reference to plants, while 干燥 (gānzào) can describe a broader range of dry conditions, including weather or lack of moisture.

Usage Notes

When using 干燥, be careful to differentiate between its physical and figurative meanings based on context. It’s more formal when describing environmental conditions, while in casual conversation it can refer to dull topics. Common collocations include 干燥的天气 (dry weather) and 干燥的性格 (dry personality).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 干燥 connects with other words describing conditions and qualities. Students should focus on using it in both literal and figurative contexts, as well as forming phrases that describe weather or personality traits.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 干燥 with 湿润 (shīrùn), which means moist or humid. For example, saying '今天很干燥' when referring to a humid day is incorrect; instead, use '今天很湿润'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 干燥

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Component Characters

干gāndry
HSK 33 strokes十
View full entry
燥zàodry
17 strokes火
View full entry

How to say to dry (of weather, paint, cement etc) in Chinese

“to dry (of weather, paint, cement etc)” in Chinese is干燥gānzào

干燥 (gānzào) refers to the state of being dry, often used to describe weather conditions, substances like paint and cement, or even a lack of interest in a topic. It can convey both a physical dryness and a figurative sense of dullness or lack of excitement, making it versatile in various contexts.

When to use 干燥

When using 干燥, be careful to differentiate between its physical and figurative meanings based on context. It’s more formal when describing environmental conditions, while in casual conversation it can refer to dull topics. Common collocations include 干燥的天气 (dry weather) and 干燥的性格 (dry personality).

干燥 or something close to it

干枯 (gānkū) refers specifically to being withered or shriveled, typically in reference to plants, while 干燥 (gānzào) can describe a broader range of dry conditions, including weather or lack of moisture.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 干燥 with 湿润 (shīrùn), which means moist or humid. For example, saying '今天很干燥' when referring to a humid day is incorrect; instead, use '今天很湿润'.

Write 干燥

干
燥

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

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Grammar Patterns of 干燥

干燥 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 5 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

土壤____时，植物会流失更多的水分。

When the soil is dry, more moisture is lost from the plant.

Example Sentences for 干燥 (8)

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1
土壤干燥时，植物会流失更多的水分。

tǔ rǎng gān zào shí， ， zhí wù huì liú shī gēng duō de shuǐ。

When the soil is dry, more moisture is lost from the plant.
2
不过，这种车即使在干燥路面上也表现出了良好的抓地性能。

bù guò， ， zhè zhǒng chē jí shǐ zài gān zào lù miàn shàng yě biǎo xiàn chū le liáng hǎo de zhuā dì xìng。

Such cars, however, do grip the road well, even in the dry.
3
看这个天,多么晴爽干燥, 正象北方人那样 爽直 痛快.

kàn zhè gè tiān, , duō mó qíng shuǎng gān, zào , zhèng xiàng běi fāng rén nà yàng shuǎng.

Look at that clear crisp sky, just like the straightforward, easy - going people of the North.
4
春季干燥多风, 晴多雨少,多偏南风.

chūn jì gān zào duō fēng, , qíng duō yǔ, shǎo , duō piān.

In the spring dry windy, rainy, sunny little more southerly wind.
5
南方雨水充沛, 北方则比较干燥.

nán fāng yǔ shuǐ chōng pèi, , běi fāng zé bǐ jiào gān.

It is wet in the South, while the North is dry.
6
他把盖子扣紧,以使内容物保持干燥.

tā bǎ gài zǐ kòu jǐn, , yǐ shǐ nèi róng wù bǎo chí gān.

He snapped the lid on to keep the contents dry.
7
要供给清洁干燥无灰尘的垫草.

yào gōng gěi qīng jié gān zào wú huī chén de diàn cǎo.

Clean, dry, dust - free bedding should be provided.
8
把面包屑撒在干燥的烤盘上，然后放在烤箱里烤脆。

bǎ miàn bāo xiè sā zài gān zào de kǎo pán shàng， ， rán hòu fàng zài kǎo xiāng lǐ kǎo。

Spread bread-crumbs on a dry baking sheet and crisp them in the oven.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 干燥

Yes, 干燥 can describe a person's demeanor as dull or uninteresting, such as in 干燥的性格 (dry personality).

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