Oxygen is the life-sustaining gas that all aerobic organisms need to survive.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A colorless gas essential for human respiration.
- Makes up about 21 percent of Earth's atmosphere.
- Vital for energy production in living organisms.
Overview
- 1概览：氧气（Oxygen）的化学符号为O2，是地球大气层的主要组成部分之一，约占空气体积的21%。对于生物而言，氧气是进行有氧呼吸的必要条件，通过血液循环输送到全身细胞以产生能量。2) 使用模式：在中文表达中，“氧气”既可以直接指代化学物质，也可以作为抽象名词使用。例如，“缺氧”表示环境或身体缺乏氧气；“氧气瓶”则是具体的工业或医疗设备。3) 常见语境：在科学课上，我们会讨论光合作用如何产生氧气；在医疗领域，医生会给呼吸困难的病人提供氧气支持；在登山运动中，由于高海拔气压低，氧气稀薄，登山者常需携带氧气袋。4) 近义词辨析：与“空气”相比，“空气”是多种气体的混合物，而“氧气”是其中特定的一种成分。不要混淆“氧气”与“臭氧”（O3），后者虽然也是氧的同素异形体，但性质与用途截然不同。
Examples
我们需要氧气来维持生命。
everydayWe need oxygen to sustain life.
医生为病人接上了氧气瓶。
formalThe doctor connected the patient to an oxygen tank.
运动后大口呼吸氧气感觉真好。
informalIt feels great to take in deep breaths of oxygen after exercise.
光合作用是大气中氧气的主要来源。
academicPhotosynthesis is the primary source of oxygen in the atmosphere.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
缺氧
hypoxia / lack of oxygen
氧气瓶
oxygen tank
吸氧
oxygen inhalation
Often Confused With
Air is the mixture of gases surrounding Earth, whereas oxygen is just one of those gases.
Ozone is a specific form of oxygen (O3) that is usually found in the upper atmosphere and is toxic to breathe.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term '氧气' is neutral and used in both formal scientific texts and casual conversation. It functions strictly as a noun. Avoid using it as a verb; use '输氧' (to provide oxygen) if necessary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '氧气' with '空气'. Remember that you breathe '空气' (the whole mixture), but you specifically need '氧气' to live. Also, do not use '氧气' as a synonym for 'breath' (呼吸).
Tips
Use with verbs like 'absorb' or 'need'
When talking about oxygen, use verbs like '吸入' (inhale) or '需要' (need). This helps build natural collocations in scientific or health contexts.
Do not confuse oxygen with air
Remember that '空气' (air) is the mixture, while '氧气' (oxygen) is only one specific component. Using them interchangeably is scientifically incorrect.
Metaphorical use in Chinese
In Chinese, '氧气' is sometimes used metaphorically to describe something essential for life or joy, like '音乐是我的氧气' (Music is my oxygen).
Word Origin
The Chinese character '氧' was created to represent the element, with the radical '气' indicating it is a gas. It was translated from the Western chemical term 'Oxygen', derived from Greek roots meaning 'acid-former'.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, oxygen is often associated with health and vitality. Advertisements for 'oxygen bars' or oxygen-enriched products highlight the cultural focus on wellness and environmental quality.
Memory Tip
Think of 'O2' as two 'O's holding hands, giving you life. '氧' has the '羊' (sheep) radical, imagine a sheep grazing in a field with plenty of fresh oxygen.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions因为高海拔地区大气压较低，空气密度减小，导致单位体积内含有的氧气分子数量减少。人体吸入的氧气量不足，从而产生缺氧反应。
是的，植物通过光合作用将二氧化碳和水转化为有机物，并在此过程中释放出氧气。这是地球大气中氧气的主要来源。
在常温常压下，氧气是无色、无味的气体。只有在极低温下液化时，它才会呈现出淡蓝色。
正常情况下，我们通过呼吸空气获取氧气。在医疗或特殊环境下，可以通过氧气瓶或制氧机来获得高浓度的氧气。
Test Yourself
在高海拔地区，由于___稀薄，人们容易感到呼吸困难。
高海拔地区空气密度小，氧气含量相对较少，导致缺氧。
氧气在空气中的占比大约是多少？
科学数据显示，地球大气中氧气含量约为21%。
人类 / 离不开 / 生命 / 氧气 / 的 / 是
该句强调了氧气对于人类生存的必要性。
Score: /3
Summary
Oxygen is the life-sustaining gas that all aerobic organisms need to survive.
- A colorless gas essential for human respiration.
- Makes up about 21 percent of Earth's atmosphere.
- Vital for energy production in living organisms.
Use with verbs like 'absorb' or 'need'
When talking about oxygen, use verbs like '吸入' (inhale) or '需要' (need). This helps build natural collocations in scientific or health contexts.
Do not confuse oxygen with air
Remember that '空气' (air) is the mixture, while '氧气' (oxygen) is only one specific component. Using them interchangeably is scientifically incorrect.
Metaphorical use in Chinese
In Chinese, '氧气' is sometimes used metaphorically to describe something essential for life or joy, like '音乐是我的氧气' (Music is my oxygen).
Examples
4 of 4我们需要氧气来维持生命。
We need oxygen to sustain life.
医生为病人接上了氧气瓶。
The doctor connected the patient to an oxygen tank.
运动后大口呼吸氧气感觉真好。
It feels great to take in deep breaths of oxygen after exercise.
光合作用是大气中氧气的主要来源。
Photosynthesis is the primary source of oxygen in the atmosphere.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
More science words
吸收
A1To absorb; to take in.
海拔
B1The height of an object or place above sea level.
属性
B1A quality or feature that is typical of or belongs to something or someone.
生物
B1Any living thing, or the study of living organisms. Basic term for IELTS biology-related reading passages.
模糊
A1Blurry; vague; indistinct.
呼吸
A1To breathe; respiration.
燃烧
A1To burn; combustion.
计算
A1To calculate; to compute; to determine a value mathematically.
推算
B1To calculate, estimate, or figure out something using data, logic, or mathematical methods. It implies a process of reasoning from known facts to unknown values.
校准
B1To calibrate, adjust, or check for accuracy against a standard. It is used for instruments, data, or plans.
