Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== tiānránqì: 天然气 - Natural Gas ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 天然气, tianranqi, natural gas in Chinese, what is tian ran qi, Chinese for natural gas, energy in China, China natural gas policy, LNG in China, tianranqi meaning, Chinese energy vocabulary. * **Summary:** 天然气 (tiānránqì) is the direct Chinese translation for "natural gas." This entry explores its literal meaning, derived from the characters for "natural" and "gas," and its immense significance in modern China. As a cornerstone of the country's energy policy, environmental strategy, and economic development, understanding 天然气 provides crucial context for discussing contemporary Chinese society, from household heating and cooking to international geopolitics. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** tiānránqì * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** Natural gas, a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas used as a major source of energy. * **In a Nutshell:** 天然气 is a straightforward, non-abstract term. It's the standard word you would use to talk about the gas that heats your home, powers your stove, or is discussed in news reports about energy. Its meaning is almost identical to its English counterpart, but its context within China's development is unique and significant. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **天 (tiān):** This character typically means "sky" or "heaven," but in this context, it takes on the meaning of "nature" or "natural." Think of it as something that comes from the world itself, not man-made. * **然 (rán):** A particle that often follows an adjective or noun, meaning "like," "so," or "-ly." When paired with 天, it solidifies the concept, forming the word 天然 (tiānrán), meaning "natural." * **气 (qì):** This character means "gas," "air," or "vapor." It's a fundamental character used in many words related to substances that are not solid or liquid. When combined, 天 (natural) + 然 (like) + 气 (gas) literally means "natural-like gas," which is a perfect and logical construction for "natural gas." ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== While "natural gas" in the West is simply a utility, in China, **天然气 (tiānránqì)** is a word loaded with modern political and social importance. It represents a key solution in one of China's most pressing national challenges: the fight against air pollution. For decades, China's development was powered by **[[煤炭]] (méitàn) - coal**, leading to severe smog and health crises. The government's push to convert from coal to natural gas, a policy known as **"煤改气" (méi gǎi qì)**, is a massive undertaking. Therefore, hearing or reading about 天然气 in China is often linked to national goals like: * **"蓝天保卫战" (lántiān bǎowèizhàn) - The "Blue Sky Protection Campaign":** Natural gas is the primary weapon in this war on pollution. * **Energy Security:** China is the world's largest importer of natural gas. This makes 天然气 a central topic in international relations, especially concerning pipelines from Russia and Central Asia, and LNG (液化天然气) shipments from around the globe. * **Economic Transition:** The shift to a cleaner energy structure is part of China's broader move towards a more sustainable, high-tech economy. Unlike in the West, where the natural gas debate might center on fracking or exports, in China, the conversation is dominated by its role as a cleaner replacement for coal and a symbol of the nation's modernization and commitment to a better environment. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== 天然气 is a common term used across all levels of society. * **In Daily Conversation:** People talk about their "天然气" bill (天然气账单 - tiānránqì zhàngdān) or a potential gas leak. When you move into a new apartment, you'll need to set up your 天然气 account. * **In the News and Government:** News reports constantly discuss 天然气 prices, import volumes, and the construction of new pipelines. It is a keyword in economic and environmental policy documents. * **In Industry:** It is discussed as a fuel for power plants, a feedstock for chemical production, and a power source for vehicles like city buses and taxis (compressed natural gas or CNG). The term itself is neutral and has no strong positive or negative connotation. It is a factual, technical word used in both formal and informal contexts. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 我们家做饭用的是**天然气**。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen jiā zuòfàn yòng de shì **tiānránqì**. * English: Our family uses natural gas for cooking. * Analysis: A simple, everyday sentence describing a household utility. * **Example 2:** * 今年冬天**天然气**的价格上涨了很多。 * Pinyin: Jīnnián dōngtiān **tiānránqì** de jiàgé shàngzhǎngle hěnduō. * English: The price of natural gas has risen a lot this winter. * Analysis: This demonstrates how the term is used in economic contexts that affect daily life. * **Example 3:** * 为了保护环境，政府鼓励使用**天然气**代替煤炭。 * Pinyin: Wèile bǎohù huánjìng, zhèngfǔ gǔlì shǐyòng **tiānránqì** dàitì méitàn. * English: To protect the environment, the government encourages using natural gas to replace coal. * Analysis: This sentence directly reflects the "煤改气" (coal-to-gas) national policy discussed in the cultural context section. * **Example 4:** * 师傅，请检查一下我们的**天然气**管道是否安全。 * Pinyin: Shīfù, qǐng jiǎnchá yīxià wǒmen de **tiānránqì** guǎndào shìfǒu ānquán. * English: Master worker, please check if our natural gas pipeline is safe. * Analysis: A practical sentence you might use when dealing with a maintenance worker or utility company. "师傅 (shīfù)" is a common and respectful way to address a blue-collar worker. * **Example 5:** * 中国从俄罗斯进口了大量的**天然气**。 * Pinyin: Zhōngguó cóng Éluósī jìnkǒule dàliàng de **tiānránqì**. * English: China imports a large amount of natural gas from Russia. * Analysis: This shows the term used in the context of international trade and geopolitics. * **Example 6:** * 你闻到了吗？好像有**天然气**泄漏的味道。 * Pinyin: Nǐ wén dàole ma? Hǎoxiàng yǒu **tiānránqì** xièlòu de wèidào. * English: Do you smell that? It seems like there's a natural gas leak. * Analysis: A crucial sentence for safety and emergencies. * **Example 7:** * 这辆公交车使用压缩**天然气**作为燃料，更加环保。 * Pinyin: Zhè liàng gōngjiāochē shǐyòng yāsuō **tiānránqì** zuòwéi ránliào, gèngjiā huánbǎo. * English: This bus uses compressed natural gas (CNG) as fuel, which is more environmentally friendly. * Analysis: This points to its use in transportation, often seen in large Chinese cities. * **Example 8:** * 我需要去燃气公司交一下**天然气**费。 * Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào qù ránqì gōngsī jiāo yīxià **tiānránqì** fèi. * English: I need to go to the gas company to pay the natural gas bill. * Analysis: Another practical, everyday sentence related to household chores. * **Example 9:** * 液化**天然气**（LNG）通常通过大型船只运输。 * Pinyin: Yèhuà **tiānránqì** (LNG) tōngcháng tōngguò dàxíng chuánzhī yùnshū. * English: Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is usually transported by large ships. * Analysis: Introduces a more specific, technical form of natural gas, LNG, which is very relevant to China's import strategy. * **Example 10:** * 这个新项目包括建设一条数千公里长的**天然气**管道。 * Pinyin: Zhège xīn xiàngmù bāokuò jiànshè yītiáo shù qiān gōnglǐ cháng de **tiānránqì** guǎndào. * English: This new project includes the construction of a natural gas pipeline several thousand kilometers long. * Analysis: Highlights the massive scale of infrastructure projects related to natural gas in China. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **气 (qì) vs. 汽 (qì):** This is a critical distinction for learners. * **天然气 (tiānránqì):** The character **气** means "gas" or "air." It has no radical. * **汽油 (qìyóu):** The character **汽**, with the water radical (氵), means "steam" or "vapor." It is used in the word for gasoline, **汽油 (qìyóu)**. * **Incorrect:** Saying "天然汽" (tiānránqì) is a common writing error. Remember: gas for your stove is 气; gas for your car is 汽. * **天然气 (tiānránqì) vs. 煤气 (méiqì):** * **天然气 (tiānránqì)** is the technically correct term for natural gas (methane). * **煤气 (méiqì)** literally means "coal gas." In the past, many cities used gas derived from coal. Today, some older speakers might still colloquially use "煤气" to refer to any piped cooking gas, even if it's actually natural gas. It's similar to how some Americans might call any brand of soda a "Coke." When in doubt, **天然气** is the more precise and modern term to use. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[能源]] (néngyuán) - Energy. The broad category that 天然气 falls under. * [[石油]] (shíyóu) - Petroleum / Crude Oil. Another major fossil fuel, often discussed alongside natural gas. * [[煤炭]] (méitàn) - Coal. The main fossil fuel that natural gas is intended to replace in China. * [[液化天然气]] (yèhuà tiānránqì) - Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). A key form of imported natural gas. * [[煤改气]] (méi gǎi qì) - "Coal to gas." The name of the massive national policy to switch energy sources for environmental reasons. * [[环保]] (huánbǎo) - Environmental protection. The primary motivation for China's increased use of natural gas. * [[汽油]] (qìyóu) - Gasoline/Petrol. A different type of fuel, useful for practicing the 气/汽 distinction. * [[暖气]] (nuǎnqì) - Central heating. In northern China, this is often powered by natural gas. * [[可再生能源]] (kě zàishēng néngyuán) - Renewable Energy. This includes solar and wind, which are the other major components of China's strategy to move away from coal.