垩 (è) - Chalk & white earth

垩Tone 4

è ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

丁恩

垩 · è

Chalk;

white earth;

to whiten;

to coat with white earth;

used in classical Chinese for whitewashing or purification.

Chalkwhite earthto whiten

Usage highlights

White chalkChalk wallChalk roomChalk coatingCretaceous periodChalk soil

Synonyms

  • 白土— white earth
  • 石灰— lime (similar white substance)

Antonyms

  • 墨— ink (black substance)
  • 黑— black

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The wall was coated with chalk (垩涂).
  • White chalk cliffs (白垩 cliffs) are common in some regions.
  • In ancient times, chalk was used for purification rituals (垩室).
  • The Cretaceous period is called 白垩纪 in Chinese.

Collocations

  • White chalk(白垩)
  • Chalk wall(垩壁)
  • Chalk room(垩室)
  • Chalk coating(垩涂)
  • Cretaceous period(白垩纪)
  • Chalk soil(垩土)

Idioms

  • To whitewash and paint(垩墁丹漆)
  • Chalk room for mourning(垩室之礼)
  • As if coated with chalk(如垩之白)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient China, chalk (垩) was used in purification rituals and mourning practices.
  • The character appears in classical texts describing whitewashing of walls and ceremonial spaces.
  • The Cretaceous geological period is called 白垩纪 in Chinese due to the chalk deposits from that era.

FAQ