HSK 7, zg, 17 strokes, radical 疒, rank #7645, Hard
癌
ái
carcinoma
HSK 7, zg, 17 strokes, radical 疒, rank #7645, Hard
癌
ái
also pr. [yán]
HSK 7, zg, 17 strokes, radical 疒, rank #7645, Hard
癌
ái
also pr. [yan2]
HSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, radical 疒, rank #7645, Hard
ái(ai2) T2
1cancer
2carcinoma
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
癌ái(ai2)
The character 癌 (ái) refers to cancer, specifically carcinoma, which is a type of malignancy that originates in epithelial cells. It is commonly used in medical contexts to discuss various forms of cancer and is often paired with other terms to specify types, such as breast cancer (乳癌) or lung cancer (肺癌). Understanding this term is crucial for discussing health issues in a Chinese-speaking context.
Strokes17Radical疒Frequency#7645DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
Cancer awareness has increased in China, leading to more discussions about prevention and treatment. The character 癌 is often featured in health campaigns and public health discussions, reflecting a growing concern for health issues in society.
Memory Tip
Imagine the character 癌 (ái) as a sickly tree (the radical 疒 represents illness) that is being choked by a vine of cancerous cells. The pronunciation 'ái' can be remembered by thinking of the phrase 'I' (sounds like 'ái') feel sick when I hear the word 'cancer.'
Meanings of 癌
ái(ai2)
1cancer
2carcinoma
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 癌
癌Simplified
17Strokes
疒Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#7645Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 癌
Podcast: 癌
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AI Study Notes for 癌
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine the character 癌 (ái) as a sickly tree (the radical 疒 represents illness) that is being choked by a vine of cancerous cells. The pronunciation 'ái' can be remembered by thinking of the phrase 'I' (sounds like 'ái') feel sick when I hear the word 'cancer.'
Usage Notes
When using 癌 (ái), be mindful of tone, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning. It is generally used in formal contexts, especially in healthcare discussions. Common collocations include 乳癌 (breast cancer) and 肺癌 (lung cancer). Avoid using it in casual conversations unless discussing health issues.
HSK Study Tips
While 癌 (ái) is not included in HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to HSK Level 3 terms related to health and illness, such as 病 (bìng - disease) and 医生 (yīshēng - doctor). Students should focus on recognizing compound terms involving 癌 to expand their medical vocabulary.
Cultural Note
Cancer awareness has increased in China, leading to more discussions about prevention and treatment. The character 癌 is often featured in health campaigns and public health discussions, reflecting a growing concern for health issues in society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 癌 (ái) with 恼 (nǎo), which means to annoy or irritate. For example, saying '我有恼' (wǒ yǒu nǎo) meaning 'I have cancer' is incorrect; it should be '我有癌' (wǒ yǒu ái).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 癌
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Grammar Patterns of 癌
癌 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
几年后，卡佳因患____症在伦敦病逝。
A few years later, Katya succumbed to cancer in London.
Scientists know that cancer may not show up for many years.
4
她参加了当地医院的癌症互助组。
tā cān jiā le dāng dì yī yuàn de ái zhèng hù zhù zǔ。
She attended a cancer support group at her local hospital.
5
如果癌症在早期发现的话，存活的几率会很高。
rú guǒ ái zhèng zài zǎo qī fā xiàn de huà， ， cún huó de jī shuài huì hěn。
If cancers are spotted early there'sa high chance of survival.
6
这台仪器可以辨别癌细胞和正常的细胞。
zhè tái yí qì kě yǐ biàn bié ái xì bāo hé zhèng cháng de xì bāo。
The device can discriminate between the cancerous and the normal cells.
7
脱咖啡因的咖啡仍含一些刺激物和其他可能致癌的有害物质。
tuō kā fēi yīn de kā fēi réng hán yī xiē cì jī wù hé qí tā kě néng zhì ái de yǒu hài wù zhì。
Decaffeinated coffee still contains some stimulants and other nasties linked with cancer.
8
他最终被诊断出患了晚期癌症。
tā zuì zhōng bèi zhěn duàn chū huàn le wǎn qī ái zhèng。
He was eventually diagnosed as suffering from terminal cancer.
9
简得知自己罹癌那一年才25岁。
jiǎn dé zhī zì jǐ lí ái nà yī nián cái25 25。
Jane was just 25 when she learned she had cancer.
10
黑皮肤的人很少得皮肤癌。
hēi pí fū de rén hěn shǎo dé pí fū ái。
Dark-skinned people rarely develop skin cancer.
Cultural Notes for 癌
🏮Cultural insight
Cancer awareness has increased in China, leading to more discussions about prevention and treatment. The character 癌 is often featured in health campaigns and public health discussions, reflecting a growing concern for health issues in society.
Word Family of 癌
Words Containing This Character19
癌症áizhèngcancer
癌áicancer
肺癌lung cancer
乳腺癌breast cancer
肝癌liver cancer
癌细胞cancer cell癌細胞
胃癌stomach cancer
致癌carcinogenic
抗癌anti-cancer
腺癌Adenocarcinoma
癌变to become cancerous癌變
致癌物carcinogen
皮肤癌skin cancer皮膚癌
鼻咽癌cancers of the nose and throat
乳癌breast cancer
食道癌esophageal cancer
血癌leukemia
鳞状细胞癌squamous cell carcinoma鱗狀細胞癌
子宫颈癌cervical cancer子宮頸癌
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 癌症 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 癌
It is pronounced 'ái' with a rising tone.
Yes, 癌 is a general term for cancer, but it is often combined with other characters to specify the type.
Common phrases include 乳癌 (breast cancer) and 肺癌 (lung cancer).
