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航天 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
航天hángtiānspace flightHSK 7, n, rank #13805, Hard
hángtiān(hang2tian1) T2
  1. 1space flight
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
航天hángtiān(hang2tian1)

航天 (hang2 tian1) refers to space flight or aerospace, encompassing activities related to spacecraft and the exploration of outer space. It is commonly used in discussions about technology, science, and advancements in space exploration, highlighting China's growing capabilities in this field.

Frequency#13805DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

航天 is closely tied to China's space exploration efforts, particularly the achievements of the China National Space Administration (CNSA). Events like the launch of the Tiangong space station are significant in showcasing national pride and technological progress.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'hangar' in the sky (航 - hang2) where rockets take off into the 'heavens' (天 - tian1). Visualize a rocket launching from this hangar, soaring into outer space, helping you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 航天

hángtiān(hang2tian1)
1space flight
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 航天

航天Simplified
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#13805Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 航天

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Podcast: 航天

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AI Study Notes for 航天

Quick Contrast

航天 (space flight) vs 航空 (aviation) — use 航天 when referring specifically to space-related activities, while 航空 pertains to flight within Earth's atmosphere.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'hangar' in the sky (航 - hang2) where rockets take off into the 'heavens' (天 - tian1). Visualize a rocket launching from this hangar, soaring into outer space, helping you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Usage Notes

When using 航天, ensure it is in the context of space-related discussions, as it may be confused with other terms related to aviation. Typically, it is used in formal contexts, such as scientific articles or news reports about space missions. Pay attention to the tones: 航 (hang2) is second tone and 天 (tian1) is first tone.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 航天 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to science and technology. Students should focus on understanding its usage in literature and media about space exploration, and how it may appear in formal discussions.

Cultural Note

航天 is closely tied to China's space exploration efforts, particularly the achievements of the China National Space Administration (CNSA). Events like the launch of the Tiangong space station are significant in showcasing national pride and technological progress.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 航天 with 航空, leading to incorrect phrases like '我想学航空技术' (I want to learn aviation technology) when they actually mean space technology. The correct phrase should use 航天: '我想学航天技术'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 航天

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Component Characters

hángboat
HSK 310 strokes
View full entry
tiānday
HSK 14 strokes
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Write 航天

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

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Grammar Patterns of 航天

航天 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

阿里安____火箭项目取得了辉煌的成功。

The Ariane space-rocket project has had a shining success.

Example Sentences for 航天 (5)

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1
阿里安航天火箭项目取得了辉煌的成功。

ā lǐ ān háng tiān huǒ jiàn xiàng mù qǔ dé le huī huáng de chéng gōng。

The Ariane space-rocket project has had a shining success.
2
英国航天部门2万多人面临失业的危险。

yīng guó háng tiān bù mén2 2 wàn duō rén miàn lín shī yè de wēi。

At stake are more than 20,000 jobs in Britain's aerospace sector.
3
“发现”号航天飞机今晨从卡纳维拉尔角顺利发射升空。

“ “ fā” xiàn ” hào háng tiān fēi jī jīn chén cóng kǎ nà wéi lā ěr jiǎo shùn lì fā shè。

Discovery's takeoff this morning from Cape Canaveral was flawless.
4
航天舱在重返大气层时产生高热.

háng tiān cāng zài zhòng fǎn dà qì céng shí chǎn shēng gāo rè.

The capsule gets very hot on re - entry.
5
三角翼的哥伦比亚号航天飞机在进入轨道前, 起飞两分钟就抛下其两个助推火箭.

sān jiǎo yì de gē lún bǐ yà hào háng tiān fēi jī zài jìn rù guǐ dào qián, , qǐ fēi liǎng fēn zhōng jiù pāo xià qí liǎng gè zhù tuī huǒ.

The delta - winged Columbia, before reaching the orbit, jettisoned its dual booster rockets two minutes into flight.

Cultural Notes for 航天

🏮Cultural insight

航天 is closely tied to China's space exploration efforts, particularly the achievements of the China National Space Administration (CNSA). Events like the launch of the Tiangong space station are significant in showcasing national pride and technological progress.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, space exploration is often associated with private companies like SpaceX, while in China, it is predominantly a government-driven initiative focused on national advancement.

Frequently Asked Questions about 航天

航空 (hang2 kong1) refers to aviation or flight within Earth's atmosphere, while 航天 (hang2 tian1) specifically denotes space flight beyond the atmosphere.