(qiǎng) — hydroxyl (chemical radical)

Definition

羟 (qiǎng) is a bound form used only in chemistry as part of 羟基, meaning the hydroxyl group (–OH). It never stands alone; always pair it with 基.

bound form
hydroxyl (chemical radical)

Examples

  • Hán yǒu qiǎng jī de huà hé wù hěn duō.
    There are many compounds that contain a hydroxyl group.
  • Zhè ge fǎn yìng huì chǎn shēng qiǎng zì yóu jī.
    This reaction will produce hydroxyl radicals.
  • qiǎng Jī shì zhòng yào de guān néng tuán.
    The hydroxyl group is an important functional group.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 羥; 羟 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
yángsheep, goat
Sound part声符shēngfú
jīng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 羥 pairs 羊 (sheep, goat) with 巠 as a sound part; the simplified 羟 is a shorthand.

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.