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March 24, 2026
天空tiānkōng(tian1kong1)
天空 (tiānkōng) refers to the expanse of air or atmosphere above the Earth, commonly translated as 'sky.' It is used in both literal and figurative contexts, such as describing the weather, celestial phenomena, or symbolic concepts like freedom and dreams.
Frequency#3009DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the sky is often associated with freedom and aspirations, reflected in idioms like '仰望天空' (looking up at the sky), which symbolizes hope and ambition. Additionally, traditional Chinese poetry often celebrates the beauty of the sky.
Memory Tip
Imagine looking up at the sky (天空) and seeing a '天' (heaven) above you and a vast '空' (empty space) that stretches endlessly. The pronunciation 'tian' sounds like 'tien' in 'ten,' and 'kong' resembles 'cone,' as if the sky is a large cone-shaped void above.
Meanings of 天空
tiānkōng(tian1kong1)
1sky
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About 天空
天空Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3009Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 天空
Podcast: 天空
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AI Study Notes for 天空
Quick Contrast
云 (yún, cloud) - use 天空 when referring to the entire expanse above, while 云 specifically denotes the visible water vapor in that expanse.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine looking up at the sky (天空) and seeing a '天' (heaven) above you and a vast '空' (empty space) that stretches endlessly. The pronunciation 'tian' sounds like 'tien' in 'ten,' and 'kong' resembles 'cone,' as if the sky is a large cone-shaped void above.
Usage Notes
In everyday conversation, '天空' is often used in descriptive phrases, such as '蓝天' (blue sky) or '阴天' (overcast sky). A common mistake is to confuse it with '气候' (climate), which refers to weather patterns rather than the sky itself. Use '天空' in both formal and informal settings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, '天空' connects with other vocabulary related to nature and the environment, such as '云' (cloud) and '星星' (star). Focus on using '天空' in sentences to describe weather or feelings associated with the sky.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the sky is often associated with freedom and aspirations, reflected in idioms like '仰望天空' (looking up at the sky), which symbolizes hope and ambition. Additionally, traditional Chinese poetry often celebrates the beauty of the sky.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '天空' with '天' (heaven) or '空' (empty), leading to phrases like '天空' which is incorrect. The correct term is '天空' to refer to the sky.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 天空
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Grammar Patterns of 天空
天空 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
In the distance, the sky was beginning to brighten.
6
今天早上的天空是幅蓝白相间的画面.
jīn tiān zǎo shàng de tiān kōng shì fú lán bái xiāng jiān de huà miàn.
The sky this morning is a mosaic of blue and white.
7
暴风雨来临时天空变得黑沉沉的。
bào fēng yǔ lái lín shí tiān kōng biàn dé hēi chén chén de。
The sky began to darken as the storm approached.
8
晚霞染红了天空.
wǎn xiá rǎn hóng le tiān kōng.
The sunset glow tinted the sky red.
9
落日映红了天空.
luò rì yìng hóng le tiān kōng.
The setting sun kindled the sky.
10
在冬天的天空下,他久久而孤独地在阴沈的沙滩上走了很久.
zài dōng tiān de tiān kōng xià, , tā jiǔ jiǔ ér gū dú dì zài yīn shěn de shā tān shàng zǒu le hěn.
Long and lonely he pace the dreary beach beneath a wintry sky.
Cultural Notes for 天空
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the sky is often associated with freedom and aspirations, reflected in idioms like '仰望天空' (looking up at the sky), which symbolizes hope and ambition. Additionally, traditional Chinese poetry often celebrates the beauty of the sky.
Frequently Asked Questions about 天空
Yes, '天空' can be used in both types of contexts without any issues.
'天空' can also represent metaphorical concepts like dreams or aspirations, depending on the context.
'天空' specifically refers to the sky, while '气候' pertains to the overall climate and weather patterns.
