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March 24, 2026
灰huī(hui1)
The character 灰 (huī) primarily means 'ash' or 'dust' and can also refer to the color 'gray.' It is commonly used in contexts related to remnants of fire, such as after burning wood or incense. Additionally, it can convey a sense of being discouraged or dejected, reflecting emotional states.
Strokes6Radical火Frequency#3279DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, ash (灰) can symbolize the remnants of life and impermanence, reflecting philosophical ideas found in Taoism and Buddhism about the nature of existence. The color gray often represents neutrality and a sense of calm in art and design.
Memory Tip
Imagine a gray cloud of ash floating in the air after a campfire. The top of the character 灰 resembles a fire, while the bottom part depicts something falling—like ash settling down. This visual can help you remember both the meaning (ash) and the pronunciation (huī).
Meanings of 灰
huī(hui1)
1ash
2dust
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 灰
灰Simplified
6Strokes
火Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#3279Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 灰
Podcast: 灰
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
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AI Study Notes for 灰
Quick Contrast
灰 (huī) vs 煤 (méi) — use 灰 for ash or gray color, while 煤 refers specifically to coal.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 灰 (huī) with similar-sounding words that have different meanings, such as 回 (huí), which means 'to return.' It's generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but when discussing emotions, it may lean towards more informal speech. Common collocations include 灰烬 (huī jìn, 'embers') and 灰心 (huī xīn, 'discouraged').
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 灰 connects well with other words related to colors and emotions, such as 黑 (hēi, 'black') and 感到 (gǎndào, 'to feel'). Focus on practicing its pronunciation and usage in sentences describing feelings or the aftermath of a fire.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 灰 (huī) with 界 (jiè), leading to incorrect phrases such as 灰心界 (huī xīn jiè) instead of 灰心 (huī xīn). Always remember that 灰 is specifically related to ash and emotions, while 界 pertains to boundaries or realms.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 灰
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After a fire (火) burns down, the left over ash (灰) can be touched with the hands (又).
1The giveawayThe remains of a fire 火; 火 also provides the pronunciation
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 灰? 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 灰?
Decomposition of 灰
IDS Structure⿸？火
灰Full Character
=
火Huo3
enclosing
Exercise 1 of 1
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 灰?
How to say ash in Chinese
“ash” in Chinese is灰huī
The character 灰 (huī) primarily means 'ash' or 'dust' and can also refer to the color 'gray.' It is commonly used in contexts related to remnants of fire, such as after burning wood or incense. Additionally, it can convey a sense of being discouraged or dejected, reflecting emotional states.
When to use 灰
Be careful not to confuse 灰 (huī) with similar-sounding words that have different meanings, such as 回 (huí), which means 'to return.' It's generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but when discussing emotions, it may lean towards more informal speech. Common collocations include 灰烬 (huī jìn, 'embers') and 灰心 (huī xīn, 'discouraged').
灰 or something close to it
灰 (huī) vs 煤 (méi) — use 灰 for ash or gray color, while 煤 refers specifically to coal.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 灰 (huī) with 界 (jiè), leading to incorrect phrases such as 灰心界 (huī xīn jiè) instead of 灰心 (huī xīn). Always remember that 灰 is specifically related to ash and emotions, while 界 pertains to boundaries or realms.
Write 灰
灰
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Practice writing 灰 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 灰
灰 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). It carries 7 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
Complete the Sentence
我见到过这个身着____色套装的英俊男士。
I saw this nice-looking man in a gray suit.
Common Confusions with 灰
灰vs会
huì
Similar pronunciation but different meanings.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "ash"?
or
Usage Notes for 灰
Mixing up 灰 with other colorsCommon Error
Learners may confuse 灰 with other color terms like 黑 (black) or 白 (white).
