碳

tàn
炭 + 石

Definitions

tàn carbon (chemistry)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 炭 represents the sound.

Semantic: 石 Phonetic: 炭

About

Created relatively recently to accommodate modern chemistry, the character 碳 specifically designates the nonmetallic element carbon. It is a phono-semantic compound: the left radical 石 (stone) categorizes it as a solid, non-metallic element, following the standard convention for chemical elements. The right component 炭 (charcoal, coal) provides the pronunciation and a direct semantic link, as coal and charcoal are primarily composed of this element. This structure offers a clear, intuitive understanding of the substance, replacing older, less precise terms for the fundamental component found in coal and organic matter.

Example Sentences Hide

碳是一种常见元素。

Tàn shì yī zhǒng chángjiàn yuánsù.

Carbon is a common element.

二氧化碳会导致温室效应。

Èr yǎng huà tàn huì dǎozhì wēnshì xiàoyìng.

Carbon dioxide can cause the greenhouse effect.

我们要减少碳排放。

Wǒmen yào jiǎnshǎo tàn páifàng.

We need to reduce carbon emissions.

碳纤维材料很轻但坚固。

Tàn xiānwéi cáiliào hěn qīng dàn jiāngù.

Carbon fiber material is light but strong.

植物通过光合作用吸收二氧化碳。

Zhíwù tōngguò guānghé zuòyòng xīshōu èr yǎng huà tàn.

Plants absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

碳足迹衡量个人对环境影响。

Tàn zújì héngliáng gèrén duì huánjìng yǐngxiǎng.

Carbon footprint measures an individual's impact on the environment.

科学家研究碳循环以理解气候变化。

Kēxuéjiā yánjiū tàn xúnhuán yǐ lǐjiě qìhòu biànhuà.

Scientists study the carbon cycle to understand climate change.

碳纳米管在材料科学中有广泛应用。

Tàn nàmǐ guǎn zài cáiliào kēxué zhōng yǒu guǎngfàn yìngyòng.

Carbon nanotubes have wide applications in materials science.

Related Characters

Component: 炭

羰

Component: 石

确 研 破 础 硬 码 碰 矿 碎 岩 碍 磨 磁 碗

Example Words

碳酸 一氧化碳 二氧化碳 低碳 碳水 碳纤维 碳酸钠 减碳 碳化 碳汇 碳基 碳粉 碳酸氢钠 碳酸钙 碳酸盐 聚碳酸酯