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March 24, 2026
泣qì(qi4)
The character 泣 (qì) means to sob or to cry. It often conveys a deep sense of sorrow or emotional pain, usually expressed through tears. This character is commonly used in both literary and conversational contexts to describe moments of grief or heartfelt emotion.
Strokes8Radical氵Frequency#19962DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, crying can be a significant expression of sorrow during mourning rituals, where expressing grief openly is considered a way to honor the deceased. 泣 often appears in poetry and literature, emphasizing emotional depth.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person by a river (水, which is a component of 泣) weeping softly. The flowing water symbolizes their tears as they sob quietly. The sound 'qì' can be remembered as the sound of someone trying to hold back their sobs, 'quieter than a whisper'.
Meanings of 泣
qì(qi4)
1to sob
2to cry, to sob, to weep
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 泣
泣Simplified
8Strokes
氵Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#19962Frequency Rank
Podcast: 泣
Podcast: 泣
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AI Study Notes for 泣
Quick Contrast
哭 (kū) vs 哭泣 (kūqì) — use 泣 for a more literary or refined expression of crying, while 哭 is more casual and common.
Usage Notes
When using 泣, be aware that it conveys a more profound sadness than just crying (哭, kū). It's often employed in literary contexts rather than everyday conversation. A common collocation is 泣不成声 (qì bù chéng shēng), meaning to sob so much that one cannot speak.
HSK Study Tips
Although 泣 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it relates to other emotional verbs like 哭 (kū) and 哀 (āi), which means to mourn. Focus on the emotional context and nuances when learning similar words to deepen your understanding of expressing feelings in Mandarin.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 泣 with 哭 (kū), using them interchangeably. Remember that 泣 is for sobbing (more emotional), while 哭 is a general term for crying. Incorrect: 我泣了很多。 (Wǒ qìle hěnduō.) Correct: 我哭了很多。(Wǒ kūle hěnduō.)
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 泣
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Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 立 represents the sound.
1The meaning half氵 carries the sense.
2The sound half立 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaywater
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 泣? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 泣?
Decomposition of 泣
IDS Structure⿰氵立
泣Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
立Li4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 泣?
How to say to sob in Chinese
“to sob” in Chinese is泣qì
The character 泣 (qì) means to sob or to cry. It often conveys a deep sense of sorrow or emotional pain, usually expressed through tears. This character is commonly used in both literary and conversational contexts to describe moments of grief or heartfelt emotion.
When to use 泣
When using 泣, be aware that it conveys a more profound sadness than just crying (哭, kū). It's often employed in literary contexts rather than everyday conversation. A common collocation is 泣不成声 (qì bù chéng shēng), meaning to sob so much that one cannot speak.
泣 or something close to it
哭 (kū) vs 哭泣 (kūqì) — use 泣 for a more literary or refined expression of crying, while 哭 is more casual and common.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 泣 with 哭 (kū), using them interchangeably. Remember that 泣 is for sobbing (more emotional), while 哭 is a general term for crying. Incorrect: 我泣了很多。 (Wǒ qìle hěnduō.) Correct: 我哭了很多。(Wǒ kūle hěnduō.)
Write 泣
泣
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Practice writing 泣 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 泣
泣 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 2 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
默特尔缩着身子坐在床边哭____。
Myrtle sat huddled on the side of the bed, weeping.
