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
- 汽車きしゃN4
train (esp. a long-distance train)
- 汽笛きてきN1
steam whistle
- 汽船きせんN1
steamship; steamboat; steamer
- 汽水きすい
brackish water
- 夜汽車よぎしゃ
night train
- 加藤汽船かとうきせん
Katou Kisen
- 日本海汽船にっぽんかいきせん
Nihonkai Steamship Co. Ltd.
- 汽力きりょく
steam power
- 汽圧きあつ
steam pressure
- 汽水域きすいいき
brackish waters (of an estuary)
- 汽水湖きすいこ
brackish lake
- 汽缶きかん
boiler
- 汽缶室きかんしつ
boiler room
- 汽船積みきせんずみ
shipment by steamer
- 汽艇きてい
(steam) launch
- 汽車ポッポきしゃぽっぽ
choo-choo train
- 汽車賃きしゃちん
train fare
- 汽車馬陸きしゃやすで
Parafontaria laminata (species of millipede)
- 汽鍋鶏チーコージー
steam pot chicken (Yunnan cuisine)
- 関西汽船かんさいきせん
Kansai Kisen
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.