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桼 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
桼qīthe varnish tree; varnish, lacquer; paintzg, 11 strokes, radical 木
qī(qi1) T1
  1. 1the varnish tree; varnish, lacquer; paint
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March 24, 2026

桼qī(qi1)

The character 桼 (qī) refers to the varnish tree, which is known for its sap that can be used to create lacquer and paint. It is often used in contexts related to woodworking and crafts, especially those involving finishing techniques. This character can also imply the product made from the sap, such as varnish or lacquer, used in various artistic applications.

Strokes11Radical木
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the sap from the varnish tree has been historically significant for creating lacquerware, which is highly valued and often intricately designed. This craftsmanship reflects the importance of nature in Chinese artistic traditions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tree (木) that is very shiny because it produces a special sap for varnish (like a coat of shiny paint). The character for 'varnish tree' has the tree radical (木) on the left, symbolizing its nature as a tree, and the right side represents the idea of glossiness in the form of lacquer.

Meanings of 桼

qī(qi1)
1the varnish tree; varnish, lacquer; paint
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 桼

桼Simplified
11Strokes
木Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 桼

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Podcast: 桼

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AI Study Notes for 桼

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 桼 (qī) with other tree-related characters. Remember that 桼 specifically refers to the varnish tree, not just any tree. It is more formal and specific compared to general terms for tree or wood, so use it in contexts related to woodworking or artistic finishes.

HSK Study Tips

Though 桼 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it relates to nature and material terms in HSK levels 3 and 4. Students should focus on the radical structure and associations with other tree-related characters, as well as vocabulary related to arts and crafts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 桼 with similar characters like 树 (shù), which means 'tree' in general. Remember that 桼 is specific to the varnish tree and should not be used interchangeably with more general terms.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 桼

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Etymology of 桼

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A tree 木 whose sap 氺 is used as varnish

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 桼

  1. 1The giveawayA tree 木 whose sap 氺 is used as varnish
  2. 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 桼? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

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Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 桼?

Decomposition of 桼

IDS Structure⿱木⿱人氺
桼Full Character
=
木Mu4
top
人ren2
top
氺shui5
bottom
Exercise 1 of 3

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 桼?

How to say the varnish tree; varnish, lacquer; paint in Chinese

“the varnish tree; varnish, lacquer; paint” in Chinese is桼qī

The character 桼 (qī) refers to the varnish tree, which is known for its sap that can be used to create lacquer and paint. It is often used in contexts related to woodworking and crafts, especially those involving finishing techniques. This character can also imply the product made from the sap, such as varnish or lacquer, used in various artistic applications.

When to use 桼

Learners often confuse 桼 (qī) with other tree-related characters. Remember that 桼 specifically refers to the varnish tree, not just any tree. It is more formal and specific compared to general terms for tree or wood, so use it in contexts related to woodworking or artistic finishes.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 桼 with similar characters like 树 (shù), which means 'tree' in general. Remember that 桼 is specific to the varnish tree and should not be used interchangeably with more general terms.

Write 桼

桼

Practice writing 桼 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 桼

桼 means 'varnish tree', and refers to the tree known for its sap used in making lacquer.

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