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空调 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
空调kōngtiáoair conditioningHSK 3, n, rank #6489, Medium
空调kōngtiáoair conditionerHSK 3, n, rank #6489, Medium
空调kōngtiáo>台[tái]HSK 3, n, rank #6489, Medium
空调kōngtiáoair conditioner (including units that have a heating mode)HSK 3, unknown, rank #6489, Medium
kōngtiáo(kong1tiao2) T1
  1. 1air conditioning
  2. 2air conditioner
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March 24, 2026
空调(空調)kōngtiáo(kong1tiao2)

空调 (kōngtiáo) refers to air conditioning or an air conditioner, a device that cools or heats the air in a room. It is commonly used in homes, offices, and vehicles, especially in hot climates or during summer months. The term literally means 'empty regulation,' indicating its function of regulating air temperature.

Frequency#6489DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In China, air conditioning is almost considered essential due to the hot summer months, especially in cities. Many public spaces, including shopping malls and restaurants, are heavily air-conditioned, reflecting a cultural preference for comfort in the heat.

Memory Tip

Think of 空 (kōng) as 'empty' and 调 (tiáo) as 'adjust' – together, they help you adjust the empty air around you. Imagine a hot day, you walk into a room and feel the cool breeze from the air conditioner, instantly refreshing you.

Meanings of 空调

kōngtiáo(kong1tiao2)
1air conditioning
2air conditioner
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 空调

空调Simplified
空調Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#6489Frequency Rank
台Measure Word
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 空调

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Podcast: 空调

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AI Study Notes for 空调

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 空 (kōng) as 'empty' and 调 (tiáo) as 'adjust' – together, they help you adjust the empty air around you. Imagine a hot day, you walk into a room and feel the cool breeze from the air conditioner, instantly refreshing you.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the pronunciation; 空调 is pronounced with a first tone on 空 and a second tone on 调. In conversations, people often shorten it to just 空调 when discussing air conditioning. Note that the term is informal, so in very formal contexts, you might refer to it as '空调设备' (kōngtiáo shèbèi) meaning air conditioning equipment.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 3 word, 空调 connects well with other everyday vocabulary related to weather and home appliances. Focus on practicing its usage in sentences related to comfort and weather conditions to reinforce its meaning.

Cultural Note

In China, air conditioning is almost considered essential due to the hot summer months, especially in cities. Many public spaces, including shopping malls and restaurants, are heavily air-conditioned, reflecting a cultural preference for comfort in the heat.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 空调 with 冷气, mistakenly using 冷气 when they mean air conditioner in a broader sense. Remember, 空调 encompasses both cooling and heating functions, while 冷气 is more limited.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 空调

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Component Characters

空kōngempty
HSK 48 strokes穴
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调diàoto harmonize
HSK 510 strokes讠
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Write 空调

空
调

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Grammar Patterns of 空调

空调 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 4 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.

Related grammar lessons2
Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

舒服什么啊，办公室____坏了。

Comfortable? The office AC is broken!

Example Sentences for 空调 (5)

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1
这辆大巴能坐45人，内有空调和影像设备。

zhè liàng dà bā néng zuò45 45， rén ， nèi yǒu kōng tiáo hé yǐng xiàng。

The bus is a 45-seater with air-con and videos.
2
当时气温达到了90度，空调也不能让房间凉快多少。

dāng shí qì wēn dá dào le90 90， dù ， kōng tiáo yě bù néng ràng fáng jiān liáng kuài。

It was 90 degrees and the air conditioning barely cooled the room.
3
空调正开着, 请关上门.

kōng tiáo zhèng kāi zháo, , qǐng guān shàng.

Air conditioning is operating. Close the door, please.
4
该大楼有约25,500平方英尺的带空调的办公室。

gāi dà lóu yǒu yuē25,500 25,500 píng fāng yīng chǐ de dài kōng tiáo de bàn gōng。

The building provides about 25,500 sq ft of air-conditioned offices.
5
这家旅馆全部用空调控温.

zhè jiā lǚ guǎn quán bù yòng kōng tiáo kòng wēn.

The hotel is fully air - conditioned.

Cultural Notes for 空调

🏮Cultural insight

In China, air conditioning is almost considered essential due to the hot summer months, especially in cities. Many public spaces, including shopping malls and restaurants, are heavily air-conditioned, reflecting a cultural preference for comfort in the heat.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While air conditioning is common in both Chinese and Western cultures, the reliance on it in China is often more pronounced due to the extreme summer heat in many regions, leading to a widespread installation in homes and public spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions about 空调

空调 (kōngtiáo) refers specifically to the air conditioning unit that can both cool and heat, while 冷气 (lěngqì) typically refers to cold air or air conditioning that cools only.