Meanings of 侨
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About 侨
Podcast: 侨
Podcast: 侨
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AI Study Notes for 侨
外侨 (wài qiáo) vs 侨民 (qiáo mín) — use 侨 for general reference to emigrants, while 侨民 specifically refers to the community of overseas Chinese.
Be careful not to confuse 侨 with similar-sounding words like 巧 (qiǎo, meaning 'clever' or 'skillful'). This word is typically used in formal contexts, especially when discussing overseas Chinese communities. Common collocations include 侨胞 (qiáobāo, 'overseas compatriots') and 侨民 (qiáomín, 'emigrant population').
Though 侨 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, students should focus on its connections to words like 海外 (hǎiwài, 'overseas') and 侨居 (qiáojū, 'to reside abroad'). Understanding these connections can enhance vocabulary related to migration and overseas experiences.
Learners often mistakenly use 侨 to refer to anyone living abroad, but it is specific to the Chinese context. For example, saying '我是一名侨在美国' (I am an emigrant in America) is correct, while using it for non-Chinese individuals is incorrect.
Pronunciation of 侨
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Etymology of 侨
Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 乔 represents the sound. Simplified form of 僑.
person
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 侨
Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 乔 represents the sound. Simplified form of 僑.
- 1The meaning half亻 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half乔 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayperson
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 侨? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 侨
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How to say emigrant in Chinese
“emigrant” in Chinese is侨
The character 侨 (qiáo) refers to a person who emigrates from their home country to live in another country, often temporarily. It is commonly used in contexts relating to Chinese communities overseas and discussions about migration or residence abroad.
When to use 侨
Be careful not to confuse 侨 with similar-sounding words like 巧 (qiǎo, meaning 'clever' or 'skillful'). This word is typically used in formal contexts, especially when discussing overseas Chinese communities. Common collocations include 侨胞 (qiáobāo, 'overseas compatriots') and 侨民 (qiáomín, 'emigrant population').
侨 or something close to it
外侨 (wài qiáo) vs 侨民 (qiáo mín) — use 侨 for general reference to emigrants, while 侨民 specifically refers to the community of overseas Chinese.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 侨 to refer to anyone living abroad, but it is specific to the Chinese context. For example, saying '我是一名侨在美国' (I am an emigrant in America) is correct, while using it for non-Chinese individuals is incorrect.
Write 侨
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Practice writing 侨 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 侨
侨 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
多数老华____深深怀念祖国.
Most old overseas Chinese keep in the depth of their souls a longing for their motherland.
Example Sentences for 侨 (2)
Word Family of 侨
Compound Meaning
What does 侨 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 侨
侨 (qiáo) refers specifically to emigrants who are often residing abroad temporarily or maintaining ties with their home country, while 移民 (yímín) indicates immigrants who have permanently settled in a new country.
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