HSK 6, n, 13 strokes, radical 火, rank #13682, Hard
煤
méi
carbon, charcoal, coal, coke
HSK 6, n, 13 strokes, radical 火, rank #13682, Hard
méi(mei2) T2
1coal
2carbon, charcoal, coal, coke
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
煤méi(mei2)
煤 (méi) refers to coal, a black or brownish-black sedimentary rock used primarily as a fuel source. It is also associated with carbon-based materials like charcoal and coke, commonly utilized in energy production and industrial processes.
Strokes13Radical火Frequency#13682DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
Coal has played a significant role in China's industrial development and energy production, especially during the 20th century. It is often associated with the country's rapid urbanization and the environmental challenges that have arisen from heavy reliance on coal.
Memory Tip
Imagine a dark 'coal mine' where a miner named 'Mei' digs for black 'coal'. The character 煤 contains the radical 火 (fire), reminding you that coal is used to produce heat and energy. Visualize Mei tending to a fire with coal to remember the pronunciation.
Meanings of 煤
méi(mei2)
1coal
2carbon, charcoal, coal, coke
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 煤
煤Simplified
13Strokes
火Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#13682Frequency Rank
块Measure Word
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 煤
Podcast: 煤
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 煤
Quick Contrast
煤 (méi, coal) vs 煤气 (méiqì, coal gas) — use 煤 when referring to the solid form of coal, not its gaseous byproduct.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 煤 with other characters like 碳 (tàn) which means carbon. This word is primarily used in informal contexts, but it can also appear in formal discussions about energy and resources. Common collocations include 煤炭 (méitàn - coal) and 煤矿 (méikuàng - coal mine).
HSK Study Tips
煤 is not included in the HSK levels but is important for learners interested in topics related to energy or the environment. Students should focus on related vocabulary like 煤矿 (coal mine) to build a broader context.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 煤 when referring to carbon in general, which is actually 碳 (tàn). Another common error is mispronouncing the tone; ensure you use the rising tone 'méi' correctly.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 煤
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 煤 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 火 represents the meaning and 某 represents the sound.
1The meaning half火 carries the sense.
2The sound half某 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayfire
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 煤? 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 煤?
Decomposition of 煤
IDS Structure⿰火某
煤Full Character
=
火Huo3
left
某mou3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 煤?
How to say coal in Chinese
“coal” in Chinese is煤méi
煤 (méi) refers to coal, a black or brownish-black sedimentary rock used primarily as a fuel source. It is also associated with carbon-based materials like charcoal and coke, commonly utilized in energy production and industrial processes.
When to use 煤
Be careful not to confuse 煤 with other characters like 碳 (tàn) which means carbon. This word is primarily used in informal contexts, but it can also appear in formal discussions about energy and resources. Common collocations include 煤炭 (méitàn - coal) and 煤矿 (méikuàng - coal mine).
煤 or something close to it
煤 (méi, coal) vs 煤气 (méiqì, coal gas) — use 煤 when referring to the solid form of coal, not its gaseous byproduct.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 煤 when referring to carbon in general, which is actually 碳 (tàn). Another common error is mispronouncing the tone; ensure you use the rising tone 'méi' correctly.
Write 煤
煤
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 煤 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 煤
煤 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 2 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.
