Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
虔 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
虔qiánreverent, devouta, 10 strokes, radical 虍, rank #67517, Very Hard
虔qiánto act with reverenceunknown, 10 strokes, radical 虍, rank #67517, Very Hard
qián(qian2)qian T2
  1. 1reverent, devout
  2. 2to act with reverence
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

虔qián(qian2)

The character 虔 (qián) conveys a sense of reverence and devotion, often used in religious or spiritual contexts. It describes an attitude of deep respect and sincerity, frequently associated with worship or solemn occasions.

Strokes10Radical虍Frequency#67517DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The concept of reverence is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, particularly in Confucianism, where respect for ancestors and traditions is paramount. The character is often found in contexts related to rituals and ceremonies honoring the deceased.

Memory tip

Think of 虔 as a 'deer' (the component '犭' resembles a dog, but imagine it as a deer) bowing down in reverence in front of a sacred mountain (the '山' radical). The sound 'qián' can be remembered by picturing a humble person quietly praying in front of a mountain, symbolizing devotion.

Meanings of 虔

qián(qian2)
1reverent, devout
2to act with reverence
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 虔 means.

About 虔

虔Simplified
10Strokes
虍Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 虔

JasonAmy

Podcast: 虔

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 虔

Quick Contrast

虔 (qián) vs 敬 (jìng) — use 虔 for a deeper, more spiritual reverence, while 敬 denotes respect in a more general or formal sense.

Usage Notes

This character is often used in formal contexts, especially relating to religion or ceremonies. Learners should avoid confusing it with similar-sounding characters that do not carry the same weight of respect. Common collocations include phrases like '虔诚' (qiánchéng - devout) and '虔敬' (qiánjìng - reverent).

HSK Study Tips

While 虔 is not in the HSK vocabulary list, understanding it can enhance comprehension of texts dealing with themes of spirituality and respect. Students should focus on its usage in prayers or formal speeches to grasp its full connotation.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 虔 with similar characters like '倩' (qiàn), which means beautiful or pretty. It's important to remember that 虔 specifically relates to reverence and devotion, not aesthetics.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 虔

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 虔 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 虔 to you

Let me explain 虔 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 虔 through them.

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

How well do you know 虔?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 虔 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 虔

Decomposition of 虔

IDS Structure⿸虍文
虔Full character
=
虍hu1
enclosing
文Wen2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 虔?

How to say reverent, devout in Chinese

“reverent, devout” in Chinese is虔qián

The character 虔 (qián) conveys a sense of reverence and devotion, often used in religious or spiritual contexts. It describes an attitude of deep respect and sincerity, frequently associated with worship or solemn occasions.

When to use 虔

This character is often used in formal contexts, especially relating to religion or ceremonies. Learners should avoid confusing it with similar-sounding characters that do not carry the same weight of respect. Common collocations include phrases like '虔诚' (qiánchéng - devout) and '虔敬' (qiánjìng - reverent).

虔 or something close to it

虔 (qián) vs 敬 (jìng) — use 虔 for a deeper, more spiritual reverence, while 敬 denotes respect in a more general or formal sense.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 虔 with similar characters like '倩' (qiàn), which means beautiful or pretty. It's important to remember that 虔 specifically relates to reverence and devotion, not aesthetics.

Write 虔

虔

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar patterns of 虔

虔 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高,not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. 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

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

他们将孩子培养成了____诚的基督教徒。

They brought up their children to be God-fearing Christians.

Example sentences for 虔 (5)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他们将孩子培养成了虔诚的基督教徒。

tāmen jiāng háizi péiyǎng chéng le qiánchéng de jīdūjiào tú。

They brought up their children to be God-fearing Christians.
2
他虔诚地跪在床边。

tā qiánchéng dì guì zài chuáng biān。

He was kneeling by his bed in an attitude of devotion.
3
她是个虔诚的基督徒,对工作全身心投入。

tā shì gè qiánchéng de jī dū tú, duì gōngzuò quánshēnxīn tóurù。

She was a very strict Christian who was married to her job.
4
康蒂跪下来虔诚地用手在胸前画了个十字。

Kāng dì guì xiàlái qiánchéng dì yòng shǒu zài xiōng qián huà le gè shí zì。

Conti kneeled and crossed himself piously.
5
他是南非仅有的几千名虔诚的拉斯塔法里教徒中的一员。

tā shì nán fēi jǐn yǒude jǐ qiān míng qiánchéng de lā Sī tǎ fǎ lǐ jiāo tú zhōng de yī yuán。

He was one of the few thousand committed Rastafarians in South Africa.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 虔?

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 虔

Words containing this character5
虔诚qiánchéngpious虔誠
虔qiánreverent
虔敬reverent
虔信piety
虔信者devotee
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 虔

What does 虔诚 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 虔

It is pronounced as 'qián' with a rising tone.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 虔?

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