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March 24, 2026
钙(鈣)gài(gai4)
钙 (gài) refers to calcium, a chemical element essential for living organisms, particularly in bones and teeth. Commonly discussed in contexts related to nutrition, health, and chemistry, it's crucial for understanding dietary requirements and biological functions.
Strokes9Radical钅Frequency#12469DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, calcium-rich foods like tofu and dairy products are often emphasized for their health benefits, reflecting a cultural focus on maintaining strong bones and overall health.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant 'Giant Calcium' (钙) who stands tall with strong bones, symbolizing the strength that calcium provides. The character's left side resembles a metal component, linking it to chemistry, while the right side hints at the 'strength' of bones.
Meanings of 钙
gài(gai4)
1calcium (chemistry)
2calcium
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 钙
钙Simplified
鈣Traditional
9Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#12469Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 钙
Podcast: 钙
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AI Study Notes for 钙
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant 'Giant Calcium' (钙) who stands tall with strong bones, symbolizing the strength that calcium provides. The character's left side resembles a metal component, linking it to chemistry, while the right side hints at the 'strength' of bones.
Usage Notes
钙 is often used in medical or nutritional contexts, so it’s important to use it appropriately in discussions about health. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words like '盖' (gài), which means 'to cover'. It often collocates with terms like '补钙' (bǔ gài - to supplement calcium).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 钙 connects with other scientific terms and health-related vocabulary. Students should focus on expanding their understanding of nutrition and chemistry when learning this term, as it frequently appears in discussions about health.
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, calcium-rich foods like tofu and dairy products are often emphasized for their health benefits, reflecting a cultural focus on maintaining strong bones and overall health.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 钙 (gài) with 盖 (gài), which means 'to cover'. For instance, saying '我吃盖' instead of '我吃钙' is incorrect when discussing dietary supplements. Always ensure you're using the right character for calcium.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 钙
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Grammar Patterns of 钙
钙 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.
The use of calcium sulfate requires an greater capital investment.
Cultural Notes for 钙
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese cuisine, calcium-rich foods like tofu and dairy products are often emphasized for their health benefits, reflecting a cultural focus on maintaining strong bones and overall health.
Word Family of 钙
Words Containing This Character8
钙gàicalcium (chemistry)鈣
钙化to calcify鈣化
碳酸钙calcium carbonate碳酸鈣
磷酸钙calcium phosphate (chemistry)磷酸鈣
氧化钙calcium oxide氧化鈣
氢氧化钙slaked lime氫氧化鈣
硝酸钙calcium nitrate硝酸鈣
碳化钙calcium carbide CaC2碳化鈣
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 钙 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 钙
You can say '我需要补充钙' (Wǒ xūyào bǔchōng gài), meaning 'I need to supplement calcium.'
钙 may not be a daily topic, but it frequently comes up in health and dietary discussions, especially among those conscious of nutrition.
Common foods high in calcium include dairy products like milk and cheese, as well as leafy greens like bok choy.
