Chinese word

元素

Pronunciation

Pinyinyuán sù

Meaning

  • nounelement

Example

氢是一种轻的元素。qīng shì yì zhǒng qīng de yuán sù

Hydrogen is a light element.

Illustration for 元素 (element)

More examples

周期表显示了已知的元素及其性质。zhōu qī biǎo xiǎn shì le yǐ zhī de yuán sù jí qí xìng zhì

The periodic table shows the known elements and their properties.

Core concept

A basic building block that forms a larger substance, system, or idea.

Common phrases

  • 化学元素huà xué yuán sù

    chemical element

  • 微量元素wēi liàng yuán sù

    trace element

  • 元素周期表yuán sù zhōu qī biǎo

    periodic table of elements

Similar words

要素yào sù: A basic part or factor that helps form an idea, system, event, or situation.
成分chéng fèn: A substance or part contained in and helping make up a material or mixture.
原子yuán zi: A tiny particle that makes up matter and helps determine its chemical properties.

Definition in Chinese

构成事物的基本单元或成分；在化学中专指由同种原子构成并具有一定化学性质的物质。gòu chéng shì wù de jī běn dān yuán huò chéng fèn zài huà xué zhōng zhuān zhǐ yóu tóng zhǒng yuán zi gòu chéng bìng jù yǒu yí dìng huà xué xìng zhì dì wù zhì

Word origin

元素 (yuánsù, "element") combines 元 (yuán, "root") + 素 (sù, "basic material"), linking a root material to the scientific sense of a substance made from one kind of atom.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, this word can describe a feature of a design, story, or social situation, not only a chemical substance.

Other meanings

  • factornoun
  • componentnoun

Opposites

  • 化合物huà hé wùcompoundnoun
  • 混合物hùn hé wùmixturenoun

Related words

  • 元素周期表yuán sù zhōu qī biǎoperiodic table of elementsnoun
  • 微量元素wēi liàng yuán sùtrace elementnoun

Word lists with this word