About
The character 汽 combines the water radical 氵 with the component 气, meaning air or vapor, to visually convey the idea of steam or mist emanating from water. Originally denoting natural vapors and evaporation, its usage was linked to atmospheric moisture and boiling liquids. With the advent of industrialization, the term became increasingly associated with manufactured steam, particularly in reference to steam engines and machinery. This conceptual shift further evolved in the twentieth century, as 汽 began to signify gasoline or motor fuel, a change embedded in modern compounds like 汽車 (car) and 汽油 (gasoline), marking its adaptation from describing a physical state to naming a key industrial commodity.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
汽车停在路边。
水烧开时冒出蒸汽。
汽油是一种重要能源。
这家工厂生产汽车零件。
蒸汽机车已被淘汰。
新能源汽车越来越普及。
汽车尾气会污染空气。
汽化过程需要吸收热量。