氧气

• Pinyin: yǎng qì
• Hanzi breakdown: 氧 = 气 (gas) + 羊 (sheep, phonetic); 气 = simplified form of 氣, meaning gas or air

Meaning

Oxygen. The chemical element essential for respiration and combustion.

Used in scientific, medical, and everyday contexts. Common phrases: 氧气瓶 (oxygen tank), 吸氧 (inhale oxygen), 缺氧 (lack of oxygen), 氧气面罩 (oxygen mask). Also used metaphorically: 她是我的氧气 (She is my oxygen/essential to me).

Examples

1. 高原地区氧气稀薄，容易出现高原反应。 In high-altitude areas, oxygen is thin and altitude sickness can easily occur.
2. 病人需要持续吸入纯氧气。 The patient needs continuous pure oxygen inhalation.
3. 植物通过光合作用释放氧气。 Plants release oxygen through photosynthesis.

Usage Guide

Context: science, medical, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 登山要带氧气瓶。(You need to bring oxygen tanks for mountain climbing.)
• 空气中氧气含量约为百分之二十一。(The oxygen content in air is about 21 percent.)

Don't Say

• 呼吸氧气瓶 — 应说'吸氧'或'使用氧气瓶'

Origin & History

Translation of the chemical term 'oxygen.' 氧 was coined from 气 (gas) + 羊 (phonetic), and 气 means gas/air.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal