木炭 (mù tàn) literally means 'wood charcoal' — it is a black, porous solid fuel produced by heating wood in the absence of oxygen, a process called pyrolysis. The first character 木 (mù) means 'wood' or 'tree', and the second character 炭 (tàn) means 'charcoal' or 'carbon'; together, they specify charcoal made specifically from wood, distinguishing it from other types of charcoal like bamboo charcoal (竹炭, zhú tàn) or coconut shell charcoal.

This term is commonly used in cooking (e.g., barbecues and traditional stoves), metallurgy, filtration, and traditional medicine. In daily life, you’ll see it sold in markets or used in outdoor grilling, especially in rural areas or during festivals. While modern gas and electric stoves are widespread, 木炭 remains valued for its steady heat and distinctive smoky flavor in food preparation.