干燥 (gān zào) is an adjective meaning 'dry' or 'arid', describing a lack of moisture in air, skin, soil, or other substances. The first character 干 (gān) means 'dry' on its own, while 燥 (zào) means 'dryness' or 'heat-induced dryness', often implying discomfort—like chapped lips or parched throat. Together, they emphasize not just physical dryness but also its physiological or environmental effects.

This word is commonly used in health contexts (e.g., dry skin, dry cough), weather reports (e.g., arid climate), and food preservation ('dried fruit' is often described as 干燥食品). It carries a slightly negative or cautionary tone—unlike neutral terms like 干 (gān), 干燥 suggests undesirable dryness that may require hydration or humidification. It’s rarely used for intentional drying (e.g., drying clothes), where 晒干 or 风干 would be more appropriate.