堿 (jiǎn) - alkali & soda

堿Tone 3

jiǎn ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

嘉健

堿 · jiǎn

alkali;

soda;

base (chemistry);

refers to alkaline substances or the taste of alkaline compounds.

alkalisodabase (chemistry)

Usage highlights

alkaline substancealkaline tastealkaline soilsoda ashcaustic sodaalkali metal

Synonyms

  • 碱— alkali (more common simplified form)

Antonyms

  • 酸— acid (chemical opposite)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The soil has high alkalinity (土壤堿性).
  • Baking soda is a common alkali (小苏打是一种常见的堿).
  • This water tastes alkaline (这水有堿味).
  • Chemical bases can neutralize acids (堿可以中和酸).

Collocations

  • alkaline substance(堿性物质)
  • alkaline taste(堿味)
  • alkaline soil(堿性土壤)
  • soda ash(纯堿)
  • caustic soda(烧堿)
  • alkali metal(堿金属)

Idioms

  • Acid and alkali neutralize each other(酸堿中和)
  • Alkaline land(堿地)
  • Alkaline reaction(堿性反应)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically associated with alkaline soils in northern China that affect agriculture.
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, alkaline substances were sometimes used for balancing bodily fluids.
  • The character is less commonly used in modern simplified Chinese, often replaced by 碱.

FAQ