Chinese Character: 煤
1. Character Basics
Radical: 火 (huǒ, \u0022fire\u0022)
Stroke Count: 13
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: méi (2nd tone, meaning \u0022coal\u0022)
3. Meaning
The Chinese character \u0022煤\u0022 primarily refers to coal, a black or brownish-black sedimentary rock that is burned as fuel. Coal has been an important energy source in China for centuries and continues to be a major part of the country's energy mix today.
4. Common Words
- 煤矿 (méikuàng) - \u0022coal mine\u0022
- 煤炭 (méitàn) - \u0022coal\u0022
- 煤球 (méiqiú) - \u0022coal ball\u0022
- 煤气 (méiqì) - \u0022coal gas\u0022
- 煤油 (méiyóu) - \u0022kerosene\u0022
- 煤渣 (méizhā) - \u0022coal cinder\u0022
- 煤田 (méitián) - \u0022coalfield\u0022
- 煤电 (méidiàn) - \u0022coal-fired power\u0022
5. Grammar & Usage
The character \u0022煤\u0022 primarily functions as a noun referring to coal. It is commonly used as a component in compound words related to coal, mining, and energy. In modern Chinese, it is rarely used alone except in certain technical contexts or idiomatic expressions.
6. Cultural Background
Coal has played a crucial role in China's industrialization and economic development. China is one of the world's largest producers and consumers of coal. Historically, coal mining has been an important industry, and many regions in northern China have a rich coal-mining culture. However, in recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on reducing coal consumption and transitioning to cleaner energy sources to address environmental concerns.
7. Example Sentence
中文: 中国是世界上最大的煤炭生产国。
Pinyin: Zhōngguó shì shìjiè shàng zuìdà de méitàn shēngchǎnguó.
English: \u0022China is the world's largest coal producer.\u0022
中文: 为了保护环境，我们需要减少煤的使用。
Pinyin: Wèile bǎohù huánjìng, wǒmen xūyào jiǎnshǎo méi de shǐyòng.
English: \u0022To protect the environment, we need to reduce the use of coal.\u0022
8. Memory Tips
The character \u0022煤\u0022 consists of the radical \u0022火\u0022 (huǒ, \u0022fire\u0022) on the left and \u0022某\u0022 (mǒu, a phonetic component) on the right. You can remember it as \u0022fire that comes from the earth\u0022 since coal is burned as fuel and is found underground. Alternatively, associate it with its pronunciation \u0022méi\u0022 and its meaning \u0022coal\u0022 in common words like \u0022煤矿\u0022 (méikuàng, \u0022coal mine\u0022).