Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
臍 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
臍qínavel; belly, undersidex, 18 strokes, radical ⺼
qí(qi2)qi T2
  1. 1navel; belly, underside
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

臍qí(qi2)

The character 臍 (qí) refers to the navel or belly button, specifically the part of the body that marks the point of attachment for the umbilical cord. It can also imply the underside of something, often used in more anatomical or descriptive contexts.

Strokes18Radical⺼
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese medicine, the navel is considered an important energy center of the body, often linked to concepts of health and vitality. Practices like acupuncture sometimes focus on the navel area for treatment.

Memory tip

Think of the character 臍 as depicting a small circle (the navel) surrounded by a larger area (the belly). Imagine a baby reaching toward its navel, creating a vivid image of the connection between life and nourishment.

Meanings of 臍

qí(qi2)
1navel; belly, underside
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 臍 means.

About 臍

臍Simplified
18Strokes
⺼Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 臍

JasonAmy

Podcast: 臍

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 臍

Usage Notes

This character is primarily used in medical or anatomical discussions. A common mistake is confusing it with similar-sounding words, like '气' (qì, meaning air or energy), due to tonal differences. Always remember to use the correct tone when speaking.

HSK Study Tips

While 臍 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, learners can connect it to body-related words in their studies. Focus on understanding its context in health and anatomy, which can enhance your vocabulary related to physical descriptions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 臍 with the character '妻' (qī, meaning wife) due to the similar pronunciation. Remember that 臍 relates to the body, while '妻' refers to a person in a relationship.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 臍

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 臍 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 臍 to you

Let me explain 臍 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 臍 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

How well do you know 臍?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 臍 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 臍

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 齐 represents the sound. Simplified form of 臍.

Memory hint

flesh

Semantic (meaning)月
+
Phonetic (sound)齊
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

臍 = 月 + 齊. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 臍

IDS Structure⿰月齊
臍Full character
=
月yue4
left
齊qi2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 臍?

How to say navel; belly, underside in Chinese

“navel; belly, underside” in Chinese is臍qí

The character 臍 (qí) refers to the navel or belly button, specifically the part of the body that marks the point of attachment for the umbilical cord. It can also imply the underside of something, often used in more anatomical or descriptive contexts.

When to use 臍

This character is primarily used in medical or anatomical discussions. A common mistake is confusing it with similar-sounding words, like '气' (qì, meaning air or energy), due to tonal differences. Always remember to use the correct tone when speaking.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 臍 with the character '妻' (qī, meaning wife) due to the similar pronunciation. Remember that 臍 relates to the body, while '妻' refers to a person in a relationship.

Write 臍

臍

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 臍?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

Word Family of 臍

Words containing this character6
脐qínavel臍
脐带umbilical cord臍帶
肚脐navel肚臍
脐橙navel orange臍橙
肚脐眼navel肚臍眼
种脐hilum種臍
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 臍

What does 脐 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 臍

You pronounce it as 'qí' with a rising tone.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 臍?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab