carbon, charcoal, coal, coke

JLPT N5 13 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Meaning and Usage

The character (méi) primarily refers to coal, a fossil fuel composed mainly of carbon. It is commonly used in contexts related to energy production, heating, and environmental discussions.

Common Collocations

  • 煤炭 (méitàn): coal, often used in industrial or energy contexts.
  • (méikuàng): coal mine.
  • 煤气 (méiqì): coal gas.

Usage Notes

When using , it often appears in compound words related to coal or coal products. It is a noun and typically refers to the raw material or fuel. In conversation, it might come up when discussing energy sources, pollution, or heating methods.

Common Confusions

Do not confuse with (tàn), which means charcoal or carbon more generally. specifically refers to coal as a mineral fuel, while can refer to charcoal used for cooking or other purposes.

Register and Tone

The word is neutral and used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in technical, environmental, or everyday discussions about heating and energy.

Example Sentences

China is the world's largest coal producer.

Using coal for heating in winter is very common, especially in northern

Burning coal produces a large amount of carbon dioxide, which is harmful to