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空气 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
空气kōngqìairHSK 4, n, rank #1903, Medium
空气kōngqìatmosphereHSK 4, n, rank #1903, Medium
kōngqì(kong1qi4) T1
  1. 1air
  2. 2atmosphere
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
空气(空氣)kōngqì(kong1qi4)

空气 (kōngqì) refers to the invisible mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth, essential for life. It is commonly used in discussions about the environment, health, and weather. The term can also imply the atmosphere or mood in a figurative sense.

Frequency#1903DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussions about 空气 often relate to health and wellness, especially concerning air quality in urban areas. The term is frequently mentioned in the context of environmental protection and public health campaigns.

Memory Tip

Imagine a big balloon filled with colorful gases representing different moods—this balloon is like 空气 (kōngqì), surrounding us and affecting our feelings. The character 空 (kōng) means 'empty' or 'sky,' and 气 (qì) means 'gas' or 'vital energy,' helping you visualize the air around us.

Meanings of 空气

kōngqì(kong1qi4)
1air
2atmosphere
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 空气

空气Simplified
空氣Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1903Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 空气

JasonAmy

Podcast: 空气

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 空气

Quick Contrast

氧气 (yǎngqì) refers specifically to oxygen, a component of air, while 空气 (kōngqì) refers to the entire mixture of gases in the atmosphere.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a big balloon filled with colorful gases representing different moods—this balloon is like 空气 (kōngqì), surrounding us and affecting our feelings. The character 空 (kōng) means 'empty' or 'sky,' and 气 (qì) means 'gas' or 'vital energy,' helping you visualize the air around us.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 空气 with 风 (fēng, wind), as they refer to different concepts. In informal contexts, you might hear phrases like '空气好' (the air is good) when discussing pollution. Remember to use the correct tones, as mispronunciation can change meaning.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 4 word, 空气 connects with other environmental vocabulary, such as 雨 (yǔ, rain) and 天气 (tiānqì, weather). Students should focus on using it in sentences related to nature and well-being.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussions about 空气 often relate to health and wellness, especially concerning air quality in urban areas. The term is frequently mentioned in the context of environmental protection and public health campaigns.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 空气 with 空 (kōng, empty) due to similar pronunciation. For example, saying '我喜欢空' (I like empty) instead of '我喜欢空气' (I like the air) can lead to misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 空气

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Component Characters

空kōngempty
HSK 48 strokes穴
View full entry
气qìgas
HSK 44 strokes气
View full entry

Write 空气

空
气

Practice writing 空气 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 空气

空气 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.

Related grammar lessons3
Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

请把窗户打开，好让新鲜____进来。

Please open the window so that fresh air can come in.

Example Sentences for 空气 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
外面的空气沉滞、潮湿而闷热。

wài miàn de kōng qì chén zhì、 、 cháo shī ér mèn。

The outside air was heavy and moist and sultry.
2
空气中充满诱人的烤牛肉香味。

kōng qì zhōng chōng mǎn yòu rén de kǎo niú ròu xiāng wèi。

A tantalising aroma of roast beef fills the air.
3
我深吸了一口海边的新鲜空气。

wǒ shēn xī le yī kǒu hǎi biān de xīn xiān kōng qì。

I took a deep breath of the fresh sea air.
4
雾蒙蒙的寒冷空气使他脸上感觉很舒爽。

wù mēng mēng de hán lěng kōng qì shǐ tā liǎn shàng gǎn jué hěn shū shuǎng。

The cold, misty air felt wonderful on his face.
5
头顶上，直升机在呼啸，巨大的螺旋桨叶片搅动着空气。

tóu dǐng shàng， ， zhí shēng jī zài hū， xiào ， jù dà de luó xuán jiǎng yè piàn jiǎo dòng zháo。

Overhead, the chopper roared and the big blades churned the air.
6
我站在那儿呼吸着挪威新鲜的空气。

wǒ zhàn zài nà ér hū xī zháo nuó wēi xīn xiān de kōng qì。

I stood there breathing in the fresh Norwegian air.
7
空气非常寒冷，似乎有雪的味道。

kōng qì fēi cháng hán lěng， ， sì hū yǒu xuě de wèi。

There was a bite in the air, a smell perhaps of snow.
8
房顶有3个洞，所以空气很清新。

fáng dǐng yǒu3 3 gè， dòng ， suǒ yǐ kōng qì hěn。

The air was fresh, courtesy of three holes in the roof.
9
空气稀薄清新，其间日光蒙眬，寒气逼人。

kōng qì xī báo qīng xīn， ， qí jiān rì guāng mēng， lóng ， hán qì。

The air was thin and crisp, filled with hazy sunshine and frost.
10
纽约清晨的空气会冷得让人难以忍受。

niǔ yuē qīng chén de kōng qì huì lěng dé ràng rén nán yǐ rěn shòu。

The early-morning New York air can be brutally cold.

Cultural Notes for 空气

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, discussions about 空气 often relate to health and wellness, especially concerning air quality in urban areas. The term is frequently mentioned in the context of environmental protection and public health campaigns.

Frequently Asked Questions about 空气

'Good air' is translated as '空气好' (kōngqì hǎo).