While historically coal gas, 'méiqì' now broadly means household cooking and heating gas, often natural gas or LPG.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Coal gas; now often refers to natural gas or LPG.
- Mainly used for cooking and heating at home.
- Commonly heard in daily life contexts.
Overview
煤气（méiqì）是一个日常生活中非常常见的词语，它指的是一种可燃性气体，主要用作燃料。 historically, 煤气特指由煤炭干馏或气化过程中产生的煤焦油煤气。然而，随着时代的发展和能源结构的改变，现在这个词语的含义已经大大扩展，更常用来泛指家庭使用的燃气，包括天然气（tiānránqì）和液化石油气（yèhuà shíyóuqì）。在很多家庭中，人们会直接说“用煤气做饭”或“煤气灶”，而并不严格区分是哪种类型的燃气。
“煤气”作为名词，通常与动词搭配使用，如“开煤气”、“关煤气”、“用煤气”、“点煤气”。它也可以作为定语，修饰“灶”、“罐”、“管道”等词，构成“煤气灶”、“煤气罐”、“煤气管道”。在口语中，人们也常说“煤气泄漏”或“煤气中毒”，用来指代安全隐患。
煤气最常见的应用场景是家庭厨房，用于驱动煤气灶进行烹饪。此外，一些家庭也使用煤气进行冬季取暖，如使用燃气热水器或燃气取暖器。在城市基础设施建设中，煤气管道的铺设和维护也是一个重要环节。在讨论能源问题或家庭开支时，煤气也是一个常被提及的词。
与“煤气”最接近的词是“天然气”（tiānránqì）和“液化石油气”（yèhuà shíyóuqì）。“天然气”是主要成分是甲烷的地质气，“液化石油气”是指在常温常压下为气态，加压或冷却后易液化的烃类气体。在严格的科学定义上，“煤气”是过时的说法，现代家庭常用的是天然气或液化石油气。但口语中，“煤气”往往可以泛指这两者，尤其是在没有明确区分的场合。例如，你可以说“我家用的是天然气”，也可以说“我家用的是煤气”，后者在非专业语境下是可以被理解的。但如果是在讨论能源类型时，区分使用“天然气”或“液化石油气”会更准确。
Examples
请记得关好煤气，以免发生危险。
everydayPlease remember to turn off the gas properly to avoid danger.
新型的燃气灶效率更高，并且能更好地利用煤气。
formalNew gas stoves are more efficient and can utilize gas better.
哎呀，煤气好像没关！快去看看！
informalOh no, I think I left the gas on! Go check!
城市燃气供应体系的建设，包括煤气管道的铺设和维护。
academicThe construction of urban gas supply systems includes the laying and maintenance of gas pipelines.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
闻到煤气味
smell gas odor
煤气费
gas bill
煤气管道
gas pipeline
Often Confused With
'Méiqì' historically referred to coal gas but now broadly covers household gas, including 'tiānránqì' (natural gas). Natural gas is a specific geological fuel, mainly methane. In precise contexts, 'tiānránqì' is preferred.
This refers specifically to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), often stored in cylinders. While 'méiqì' can sometimes refer to LPG in colloquial speech, LPG is a distinct type of fuel from natural gas.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
In modern Mandarin, 'méiqì' is often used as a general term for household gas, encompassing both natural gas and LPG. While technically dated, its colloquial usage is widespread and understood. For technical or precise discussions, using 'tiānránqì' (natural gas) or 'yèhuà shíyóuqì' (LPG) is more accurate.
Common Mistakes
Learners might strictly translate 'méiqì' as 'coal gas' and miss its broader, common meaning in contemporary Chinese. It's important to recognize that most homes today use natural gas or LPG, and 'méiqì' often refers to these.
Tips
Understand the Broad Meaning
Remember that 'méiqì' is often used colloquially to mean any household cooking gas, not just coal gas.
Safety First with Gas
Always ensure proper ventilation when using gas appliances and be aware of the signs of gas leaks to prevent accidents like 'méiqì zhòngdú' (gas poisoning).
Ubiquitous Household Fuel
Gas is a fundamental fuel for daily life in Chinese households, making 'méiqì' a very common and practical word.
Word Origin
The character '煤' (méi) means 'coal', and '气' (qì) means 'gas'. Thus, '煤气' literally translates to 'coal gas'. This reflects its historical origin as gas produced from coal.
Cultural Context
Access to and use of gas for cooking and heating is a standard feature of modern Chinese households. Discussions about gas bills or potential leaks are common topics.
Memory Tip
Think of 'méiqì' as the 'everyday gas' for your kitchen stove, even if it's technically natural gas or LPG. The 'méi' (coal) part is a historical reminder.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions历史上，“煤气”特指煤炭气化产生的气体。而“天然气”是一种地质气，主要成分是甲烷。现在日常生活中，“煤气”常被用来泛指包括天然气在内的家用燃气，但严格来说，天然气是更准确的说法。
现在大部分家庭做饭使用的都是天然气或者液化石油气。人们习惯上会统称为“煤气”，但具体是哪种气体，需要看你家安装的是哪种管道或使用的是哪种气罐。
煤气中毒通常是指一氧化碳中毒。如果燃气（包括煤气、天然气、液化石油气）燃烧不充分，会产生有毒的一氧化碳气体，吸入过量会导致中毒。
煤气罐（通常指液化石油气罐）里装的是液化石油气。这是一种在常温常压下为气态，加压后容易液化的气体，方便储存和运输。
Test Yourself
做晚饭需要打开______。
在厨房做饭通常需要使用燃气，这里“煤气”是最合适的选项，泛指家用燃气。
Which of the following best describes the modern usage of '煤气'?
While historically it meant coal gas, 'méiqì' is now commonly used to refer to household natural gas or LPG.
我家 / 煤气 / 坏了 / 昨天
这是最符合中文语序和表达习惯的句子结构。
Score: /3
Summary
While historically coal gas, 'méiqì' now broadly means household cooking and heating gas, often natural gas or LPG.
- Coal gas; now often refers to natural gas or LPG.
- Mainly used for cooking and heating at home.
- Commonly heard in daily life contexts.
Understand the Broad Meaning
Remember that 'méiqì' is often used colloquially to mean any household cooking gas, not just coal gas.
Safety First with Gas
Always ensure proper ventilation when using gas appliances and be aware of the signs of gas leaks to prevent accidents like 'méiqì zhòngdú' (gas poisoning).
Ubiquitous Household Fuel
Gas is a fundamental fuel for daily life in Chinese households, making 'méiqì' a very common and practical word.
Examples
4 of 4请记得关好煤气，以免发生危险。
Please remember to turn off the gas properly to avoid danger.
新型的燃气灶效率更高，并且能更好地利用煤气。
New gas stoves are more efficient and can utilize gas better.
哎呀，煤气好像没关！快去看看！
Oh no, I think I left the gas on! Go check!
城市燃气供应体系的建设，包括煤气管道的铺设和维护。
The construction of urban gas supply systems includes the laying and maintenance of gas pipelines.
