灰 (huī) - ash & dust

灰Tone 1

huī ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 火

枫惠

灰 · huī

ash;

dust;

lime;

gray;

disheartened;

discouraged

ashdustlime

Usage highlights

ashgray colordiscouragedlimedustcement

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 亮— bright
  • 鲜艳— vivid, bright-colored
  • 振奋— inspired, exhilarated

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The fireplace is full of ash (灰).
  • He painted the wall gray (灰色).
  • She felt discouraged (灰心) after the failure.
  • We need to buy some lime (石灰) for construction.

Collocations

  • ash(灰)
  • gray color(灰色)
  • discouraged(灰心)
  • lime(石灰)
  • dust(灰尘)
  • cement(水泥灰)

Idioms

  • Ashen-faced with fright(面如死灰)
  • Discouraged and dejected(灰心丧气)
  • Reduced to ashes(化为灰烬)
  • Covered with dust(灰头土脸)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, ash was sometimes used in medicinal preparations.
  • Gray (灰) symbolizes neutrality, modesty, and sometimes melancholy in Chinese culture.
  • The character combines fire (火) and hand (又), suggesting handling burnt remains.

FAQ