Skip to content
Kotomora

汽

vapor, steam

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · grade 2FrequencyTop 5,000Strokes7

Readings

On'yomi

  • キ

Kun'yomi

—

Meaning

汽 centers on gaseous water: vapor or steam, the visible mist that rises from hot water.

Most common words using 汽

Explore all words using 汽 →

Study

Etymology

汽 combines 氵 (water) and 气 (air/steam), suggesting water turning into vapor or steam.

Meaning mnemonic

Water 氵 meets air 气 and rises as steam: 汽 is vapor.

Reading mnemonic

For キ, imagine a key turning in a steam engine, releasing a hiss of vapor: key -> キ.