Word

酸 (suān) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 4

Meaning of 酸

形 xíng adjective

sour

这个柠檬很酸。

zhè ge níng méng hěn suān

This lemon is very sour.

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Word breakdown

酸 suān — sour

1 酸奶 suān nǎi — yogurt HSK 4
- 酸 sour, indicating the fermented/tangy quality
- 奶 milk, indicating the dairy base
Example

我每天早上都喝酸奶。

wǒ měi tiān zǎo shang dōu hē suān nǎi

I drink yogurt every morning.
2 酸甜苦辣 suān tián kǔ là — the joys and sorrows of life HSK 5
- 酸 sour; represents sadness and difficulties
- 甜 sweet; represents happiness and joy
- 苦 bitter; represents hardship and suffering
- 辣 spicy; represents intense and challenging experiences
Example

在国外生活，我尝遍了酸甜苦辣。

zài guó wài shēng huó wǒ cháng biàn le suān tián kǔ là

Living abroad, I've experienced all the ups and downs of life.
3 心酸 xīn suān — sad; grieved; sorrowful HSK 7
- 心 heart; represents the emotional or mental aspect
- 酸 sour; represents the bitter, painful quality of the emotion
Example

看到他独自一人的背影，我感到很心酸。

kàn dào tā dú zì yī rén de bèi yǐng wǒ gǎn dào hěn xīn suān

Seeing his lone figure from behind, I felt very sad.
4 辛酸 xīn suān — bitter and painful HSK 7
- 辛 hardship, bitterness, suffering
- 酸 sourness, sadness, aching pain
Example

她向我诉说了多年来的辛酸经历。

tā xiàng wǒ sù shuō le duō nián lái de xīn suān jīng lì

She told me about her bitter and painful experiences over the years.

Structure & writing

1 酸 suān — acid (chemistry: compound that ionizes to produce hydrogen ions, neutralizes bases, reacts with metals to produce salts and hydrogen gas)

酸 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

1.1 酉 yǒu — tenth of the twelve Earthly Branches

酉 is a component in 19 characters

HSK 2

酒 jiǔ alcoholic beverage made by fermenting grains or fruit

HSK 4

酸 suān acid (chemistry: compound that ionizes to produce hydrogen ions, neutralizes bases, reacts with metals to produce salts and hydrogen gas) 醒 xǐng to sober up; to regain consciousness after intoxication, anesthesia, or coma

HSK 5

配 pèi to marry (of a man and woman) 醉 zuì drunk; intoxicated from excessive drinking

HSK 6

酱 jiàng fermented paste condiment made from beans or wheat (e.g. yellow bean paste, sweet bean paste) 酷 kù cruel, brutal, savage 醋 cù vinegar (sour condiment made by fermenting grains such as sorghum or rice)

HSK 7

蘸 zhàn to dip into (a liquid, powder, or paste) 酌 zhuó to pour (wine); to drink (wine) 酗 xù to act wildly drunk 酝 yùn to brew wine 酣 hān drinking to one's heart's content

Show more HSK 7 characters (+6)

酥 sū food made from the skin of curdled cow's or goat's milk; clarified butter (ancient usage) 酪 lào semi-solid or solid dairy product made from animal milk (cheese, curd, etc.) 酬 chóu remuneration; payment for labor 酵 jiào fermentation; chemical decomposition of organic substances by enzymes or fungi, used in leavening bread, brewing wine, etc.; the fungi that cause fermentation are called '酵母菌' (yeast) 酿 niàng to brew or ferment (using fermentation) 醇 chún (lit.) strong-flavored liquor

1.2 夋 qūn — moving slowly and gracefully; leisurely in gait

夋 is a component in 7 characters

HSK 4

酸 suān acid (chemistry: compound that ionizes to produce hydrogen ions, neutralizes bases, reacts with metals to produce salts and hydrogen gas)

HSK 7

俊 jùn handsome; good-looking (opposite of ugly) 唆 suo to instigate; to incite someone to do wrong 峻 jùn high and steep (of a mountain) 梭 suō shuttle (weaving tool on a loom that carries the weft thread through the warp, thick in the middle and pointed at both ends, typically made of hard wood; also called 梭子) 竣 jùn to complete; to finish (a task or project)

Show more HSK 7 characters (+1)

骏 jùn fine horse; steed

Stroke order