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火药 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
火药huǒyàogunpowderHSK 7, n, rank #8025, Hard
huǒyào(huo3yao4) T3
  1. 1gunpowder
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March 24, 2026
火药(火藥)huǒyào(huo3yao4)

火药 (huǒyào) refers to gunpowder, a chemical mixture used primarily as a propellant in firearms and fireworks. It has historical significance in warfare and is often associated with the development of technology in ancient China. Commonly used in discussions about explosives, military history, and pyrotechnics.

Frequency#8025DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

Gunpowder was invented in China during the Tang dynasty and played a crucial role in the development of military technology. It is a key element of Chinese history, particularly in warfare and fireworks, which are an essential part of festivals.

Memory Tip

Think of 火 (huǒ), meaning fire, combined with 药 (yào), meaning medicine or chemical. Imagine a fiery potion for explosive power! Visualize an ancient Chinese alchemist mixing ingredients to create a substance that makes things go 'boom'.

Meanings of 火药

huǒyào(huo3yao4)
1gunpowder
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 火药

火药Simplified
火藥Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8025Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 火药

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Podcast: 火药

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AI Study Notes for 火药

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 火 (huǒ), meaning fire, combined with 药 (yào), meaning medicine or chemical. Imagine a fiery potion for explosive power! Visualize an ancient Chinese alchemist mixing ingredients to create a substance that makes things go 'boom'.

Usage Notes

火药 is typically used in formal contexts related to military or scientific discussions. Be careful not to confuse it with other substances like explosives (炸药, zhàyào), which are more generalized. When talking about firearms, ensure you maintain the correct tone when discussing its historical or cultural implications.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 火药 connects with other words related to technology and warfare at this level. Focus on its usage in compound words such as 火药库 (huǒyàokù, gunpowder store) or phrases discussing historical events, which will enhance comprehension and vocabulary retention.

Cultural Note

Gunpowder was invented in China during the Tang dynasty and played a crucial role in the development of military technology. It is a key element of Chinese history, particularly in warfare and fireworks, which are an essential part of festivals.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 火药 with related terms like 炸药 (zhàyào, explosives) or 燃料 (ránliào, fuel). Remember that 火药 specifically refers to gunpowder, while 炸药 is a broader category of explosives.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 火药

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Component Characters

火huǒfire
HSK 44 strokes火
View full entry
药yàoleaf of the iris
HSK 29 strokes艹
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Write 火药

火
药

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

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Grammar Patterns of 火药

火药 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

除非这些问题得到解决，否则该地区会一直是个____桶。

Unless these questions are solved, the region will remain a powder keg.

Example Sentences for 火药 (4)

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1
除非这些问题得到解决，否则该地区会一直是个火药桶。

chú fēi zhè xiē wèn tí dé dào jiě jué， ， fǒu zé gāi dì qū huì yī zhí shì gè huǒ yào。

Unless these questions are solved, the region will remain a powder keg.
2
她毫不隐讳地表示想得到他的工作，以至于他们之间说话都带着火药味。

tā háo bù yǐn huì dì biǎo shì xiǎng dé dào tā de gōng zuò， ， yǐ zhì yú tā mén zhī jiān shuō huà dū dài zháo huǒ yào。

She coveted his job so openly that conversations between them were tense.
3
你闻过火药味 —— 是不是, 船长? ”

nǐ wén guò huǒ yào wèi—— —— shì bù, shì ,?”

But you smelt powder - didn't you, cap'n?'
4
你们的房舱下面有个好地方, 为什么不把火药和武器放在那里 呢 ?

nǐ mén de fáng cāng xià miàn yǒu gè hǎo dì fāng, , wéi shí mó bù bǎ huǒ yào hé wǔ qì fàng zài nà lǐ?

Now , you have a good place under the cabin; why not put them there?

Cultural Notes for 火药

🏮Cultural insight

Gunpowder was invented in China during the Tang dynasty and played a crucial role in the development of military technology. It is a key element of Chinese history, particularly in warfare and fireworks, which are an essential part of festivals.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, gunpowder is often associated with the invention of firearms and explosives in a military context, while in Chinese culture, it also holds significance in celebrations like the Lunar New Year through fireworks.

Frequently Asked Questions about 火药

火药 was invented in China and revolutionized both warfare and celebrations, leading to the development of fireworks.