氧气
yǎngqì
The English word "oxygen" is translated into Mandarin as 氧气 (yǎngqì).
氧气 is the noun used to refer to oxygen as a chemical element or the gas itself.
Meaning: chemical element (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word consists of 氧 (yǎng), meaning oxygen and 气 (qì), meaning gas or air.
Which one should you use?
While 氧气 refers to the gas itself, the single character 氧 is used in scientific terms, such as 氧元素, meaning the element oxygen.
How do you pronounce it?
yǎngqì
Did you know?
- In modern Chinese slang, calling someone 氧气美女 (oxygen beauty) describes a girl who has a refreshing, natural and clean aura rather than a heavy makeup look.
- Because 气 also means 'spirit' or 'vital energy' in traditional contexts, the word for oxygen shares a visual link with the concept of 'life force'.
- The character 氧 is relatively modern, created to fit the systematic translation of Western periodic tables into Chinese.
Examples in context
- 爱就像氧气。Love is like oxygen.This sentence uses 氧气 in a metaphor about love.Tatoeba #5794118 by verdastelo9604, translation #1670129 by al_ex_an_der
- 树木排出氧气，吸收二氧化碳。Trees give off oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide.This sentence describes the process of trees releasing 氧气.Tatoeba #380720 by sherryyyf, translation #266244 by CK
- 我们呼吸的空气是由氧气和氮气组成的。The air we breathe consists of oxygen and nitrogen.This sentence explains that the air we breathe is composed of 氧气 and nitrogen.Tatoeba #9409466 by BobbyLee, translation #262578 by CM
- 科学家发现，氧气在维持动植物生命中起到重要作用。Scientists have discovered that oxygen plays a crucial role in maintaining the life of animals and plants.
- 化学方程式中，氧起着重要的氧化作用。Oxygen plays a significant role in oxidation in chemical equations.
- 确保室内的空气里有足够的氧气，这样你会感觉更好。Make sure there is enough oxygen in the indoor air, and you will feel better.
Example conversation
Two people are discussing hiking equipment for a high-altitude trip.
- 伟 Wei我们要带氧气瓶吗？Wǒmen yào dài yǎngqì píng ma?Do we need to bring oxygen tanks?
- 雨婷 Yuting是的，山上氧气不足。Shì de, shānshàng yǎngqì bùzú.Yes, there is not enough oxygen on the mountain.
- 伟 Wei那我在店里买几个。Nà wǒ zài diàn lǐ mǎi jǐ gè.Then I will buy a few at the store.
- 雨婷 Yuting好，这样比较安全。Hǎo, zhèyàng bǐjiào ānquán.Okay, that is safer.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
