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March 24, 2026
彩虹cǎihóng(cai3hong2)
彩虹 (cǎihóng) refers to a rainbow, which is a meteorological phenomenon caused by reflection, refraction, and dispersion of light in water droplets resulting in a spectrum of light appearing in the sky. It is often associated with beauty, hope, and sometimes serves as a cultural symbol of peace and harmony in various contexts.
Strokes20Frequency#6126DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, rainbows are often seen as auspicious signs. They are sometimes associated with myths and legends, symbolizing a bridge between the earthly and the divine, particularly in folk tales where heroes embark on journeys under rainbows.
Memory Tip
Think of 彩 (cǎi) as 'color' because rainbows are colorful. The character 虹 (hóng) looks like a bridge across the sky, connecting different colors, just like a rainbow connects the earth and sky with its vibrant arc. Imagine a colorful bridge after a rain shower that brings joy!
Meanings of 彩虹
cǎihóng(cai3hong2)
1rainbow
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About 彩虹
彩虹Simplified
20Strokes
—Radical
其它专名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#6126Frequency Rank
道Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 彩虹
Podcast: 彩虹
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AI Study Notes for 彩虹
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tone: 彩虹 is pronounced with a third tone for 彩 (cǎi) and a second tone for 虹 (hóng). It's commonly used in both spoken and written contexts, often appearing in poetry or discussions about nature. A common collocation is '看到彩虹' (kàn dào cǎihóng) meaning 'to see a rainbow'.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 5, learners should focus on recognizing the individual components of the characters and their meanings. 彩 (cǎi) often appears in words related to color, while 虹 (hóng) can be found in words related to arcs or bridges. Connecting these characters to others in the same theme can enhance vocabulary retention.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse the tones, pronouncing it as 'cai2 hong2' instead of 'cǎi hóng.' Also, some may mistakenly use the character for '桥' (bridge) instead of 虹 (rainbow) when describing its shape; remember 虹 specifically refers to the rainbow itself.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 彩虹
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彩虹 (cǎihóng) refers to a rainbow, which is a meteorological phenomenon caused by reflection, refraction, and dispersion of light in water droplets resulting in a spectrum of light appearing in the sky. It is often associated with beauty, hope, and sometimes serves as a cultural symbol of peace and harmony in various contexts.
When to use 彩虹
Be careful with the tone: 彩虹 is pronounced with a third tone for 彩 (cǎi) and a second tone for 虹 (hóng). It's commonly used in both spoken and written contexts, often appearing in poetry or discussions about nature. A common collocation is '看到彩虹' (kàn dào cǎihóng) meaning 'to see a rainbow'.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse the tones, pronouncing it as 'cai2 hong2' instead of 'cǎi hóng.' Also, some may mistakenly use the character for '桥' (bridge) instead of 虹 (rainbow) when describing its shape; remember 虹 specifically refers to the rainbow itself.
Write 彩虹
彩
虹
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Grammar Patterns of 彩虹
彩虹 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.
