煤 (méi) - Coal — a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary & also refers to soot or charcoal.

煤Tone 2

méi ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

伦妙

煤 · méi

Coal — a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock used as fuel;

also refers to soot or charcoal.

Coal — a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentaryalso refers to soot or charcoal.

Usage highlights

Coal mineCoal gasCoal industryCoal reservesCoal dustCoal

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 木— wood (alternative fuel)
  • 气— gas (alternative fuel)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The power plant burns coal (煤) for electricity.
  • Coal mining (煤矿开采) is a major industry in some regions.
  • This stove uses coal briquettes (煤球).
  • Coal gas (煤气) was once used for lighting and heating.

Collocations

  • Coal mine(煤矿)
  • Coal gas(煤气)
  • Coal industry(煤炭工业)
  • Coal reserves(煤炭储量)
  • Coal dust(煤尘)
  • Coal-fired power plant(燃煤发电厂)

Idioms

  • To carry coal to Newcastle(多此一举)
  • As black as coal(漆黑如煤)
  • Coal turns into jade(煤化为玉)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Coal has been a primary energy source in China since ancient times, driving industrialization.
  • The character 煤 combines the 'fire' radical (火) with 某 (meaning 'certain'), indicating its use as a fuel.
  • Coal mining regions like Shanxi have distinct cultural identities shaped by the industry.

FAQ