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天然气 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
天然气tiānránqìnatural gasHSK 6, n, rank #13989, Hard
tiānránqì(tian1ran2qi4) T1
  1. 1natural gas
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March 24, 2026
天然气(天然氣)tiānránqì(tian1ran2qi4)

天然气 (tiānránqì) refers to natural gas, a fossil fuel that is used extensively for heating, cooking, and electricity generation. It is a key component of energy resources and is considered a cleaner alternative to coal and oil in terms of carbon emissions. In industrial contexts, it is often discussed in relation to energy policies and environmental impact.

Frequency#13989DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In China, the push for cleaner energy sources has made 天然气 increasingly important as the country seeks to reduce pollution and reliance on coal. The government promotes its use in urban areas for cooking and heating.

Memory Tip

Think of 天 (tiān) as 'heaven' and 然 (rán) as 'thus' or 'naturally', suggesting that natural gas is a heavenly, clean resource provided by nature. The 气 (qì) represents 'gas' or 'air', reminding you that this natural substance is a gas.

Meanings of 天然气

tiānránqì(tian1ran2qi4)
1natural gas
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 天然气

天然气Simplified
天然氣Traditional
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#13989Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 天然气

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Podcast: 天然气

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AI Study Notes for 天然气

Quick Contrast

天然气 (natural gas) vs 煤气 (coal gas) — use 天然气 for cleaner energy sources, while 煤气 refers to gas derived from coal, which has higher emissions.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 天 (tiān) as 'heaven' and 然 (rán) as 'thus' or 'naturally', suggesting that natural gas is a heavenly, clean resource provided by nature. The 气 (qì) represents 'gas' or 'air', reminding you that this natural substance is a gas.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 天然气 with other types of gas, such as 烟气 (yānqì, smoke gas), as the former specifically refers to natural gas. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in discussions about energy. Remember to practice the correct fourth tone in 气, as mispronunciation can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 天然气 connects well with other terms related to energy and environment, such as 能源 (néngyuán, energy resources) and 环境 (huánjìng, environment). Students should focus on understanding its usage in technical discussions and environmental debates.

Cultural Note

In China, the push for cleaner energy sources has made 天然气 increasingly important as the country seeks to reduce pollution and reliance on coal. The government promotes its use in urban areas for cooking and heating.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 气 as 'qi' with a first tone instead of the correct fourth tone. A common mistake is saying 天然气 as 'tiānránqī' with a rising tone on 气, which can lead to confusion with other words.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 天然气

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Component Characters

tiānday
HSK 14 strokes
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ráncorrect
12 strokes
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gas
HSK 44 strokes
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Write 天然气

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

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Grammar Patterns of 天然气

天然气 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

奥瑞克斯是一家设在达拉斯的石油和____勘探生产公司。

Oryx is a Dallas-based oil and gas exploration and production concern.

Example Sentences for 天然气 (6)

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1
奥瑞克斯是一家设在达拉斯的石油和天然气勘探生产公司。

ào ruì kè sī shì yī jiā shè zài dá lā sī de shí yóu hé tiān rán qì kān tàn shēng chǎn gōng sī。

Oryx is a Dallas-based oil and gas exploration and production concern.
2
供气: “西气东输”的天然气漯河已经开通.

gōng qì:“ : “ xī qì dōng” shū ” de tiān rán qì luò hé yǐ jīng.

Gas supply: The gas west - east transfer project has been in operation.
3
英国天然气公司股价上涨1便士,以287便士收盘。

yīng guó tiān rán qì gōng sī gǔ jià shàng zhǎng1 1 biàn, shì287 , yǐ 287 biàn。

British Gas shares ended the day 1p up at 287p.
4
壳牌石油公司签订了一份开采阿尔汉格尔附近的石油和天然气资源的合同。

ké pái shí yóu gōng sī qiān dìng le yī fèn kāi cǎi ā ěr hàn gé ěr fù jìn de shí yóu hé tiān rán qì zī yuán de hé tóng。

Shell signed a contract to develop oil and gas reserves near Archangel.
5
咸水层也用来贮存淡水和天然气.

xián shuǐ céng yě yòng lái zhù cún dàn shuǐ hé tiān rán qì.

Salaquifers have also been used for the storage of fresh water and natural gas.
6
许多石油 、 天然气与矿物亦是取自海里.

xǔ duō shí yóu、 、 tiān rán qì yǔ kuàng wù yì shì qǔ zì hǎi.

Much of our oil, gas, and minerals also come from underwater.

Cultural Notes for 天然气

🏮Cultural insight

In China, the push for cleaner energy sources has made 天然气 increasingly important as the country seeks to reduce pollution and reliance on coal. The government promotes its use in urban areas for cooking and heating.

Frequently Asked Questions about 天然气

天然气 specifically refers to natural gas, which is cleaner and sourced from the earth, whereas other types may include synthetic or industrial gases.