HSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 钅, rank #12469, Very Hard
钙
gài
calcium
HSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 钅, rank #12469, Very Hard
gài(gai4)gai T4
1calcium (chemistry)
2calcium
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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#12469DifficultyVery Hard
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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 钙 means.
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
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.
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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How Well Do You Know 钙?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 钙 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
钙 = 钅 + 丐. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 钙
IDS Structure⿰钅丐
钙Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
丐gai4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 钙?
How to say calcium (chemistry) in Chinese
“calcium (chemistry)” in Chinese is钙gài
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.
When to use 钙
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).
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 钙
钙
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Practice writing 钙 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
