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迁移 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
迁移qiānyíto migrateHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #18866, Very Hard
迁移qiānyíto moveHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #18866, Very Hard
qiānyí(qian1yi2)qian yi T1
  1. 1to migrate
  2. 2to move
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March 24, 2026

迁移(遷移)qiānyí(qian1yi2)

迁移 (qiān yí) means 'to migrate' or 'to move from one place to another,' typically used in the context of people, animals, or data. It can refer to physical relocation, such as moving to a different city, or more abstract transitions, like data migration in technology. The term conveys a sense of change and movement over distance.

Strokes17Frequency#18866DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, migration is often linked to historical movements, such as the migration of people during dynastic changes or the Great Migration during the Chinese Civil War. It also reflects modern trends, such as urbanization where people move to cities for better opportunities.

Memory tip

Imagine a bird (the radical '迁' with its bird-like form) flying from one tree to another, signifying 'migration.' The sound 'qiān' can remind you of 'can,' as in a bird can move freely. The second part '移' looks like a person moving with a suitcase, emphasizing the act of moving.

Meanings of 迁移

qiānyí(qian1yi2)
1to migrate
2to move
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About 迁移

迁移Simplified
遷移Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 迁移

Quick Contrast

迁徙 (qiān xǐ) refers specifically to migration in the context of animals, while 迁移 (qiān yí) is broader and can include both animals and humans, as well as abstract concepts like data.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 迁移 with 移动 (yí dòng), which means 'to move' in a more general sense. 迁移 is more appropriate for longer distances or significant changes, while 移动 can refer to simple movements. Be mindful of the tone; 迁 has a first tone and 移 has a second tone, which can alter meaning if mispronounced.

HSK Study Tips

While 迁移 is not specifically in the HSK vocabulary list, it is useful for level 4 and above learners focusing on migration topics or discussions about relocation. Students should focus on understanding the context of migration in cultural discussions and practice using it in sentences related to travel and movement.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 迁移 with the simpler 移动 (yí dòng), misusing it in contexts that require more specific language about migration. For example, saying '我迁移家' (Wǒ qiān yí jiā) instead of '我搬家' (Wǒ bān jiā) for 'I'm moving houses' is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 迁移

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Component characters

迁qiānto move
HSK 76 strokes辶
View full entry
移yíto move
HSK 511 strokes禾
View full entry

How to say to migrate in Chinese

“to migrate” in Chinese is迁移qiānyí

迁移 (qiān yí) means 'to migrate' or 'to move from one place to another,' typically used in the context of people, animals, or data. It can refer to physical relocation, such as moving to a different city, or more abstract transitions, like data migration in technology. The term conveys a sense of change and movement over distance.

When to use 迁移

Common mistakes include confusing 迁移 with 移动 (yí dòng), which means 'to move' in a more general sense. 迁移 is more appropriate for longer distances or significant changes, while 移动 can refer to simple movements. Be mindful of the tone; 迁 has a first tone and 移 has a second tone, which can alter meaning if mispronounced.

迁移 or something close to it

迁徙 (qiān xǐ) refers specifically to migration in the context of animals, while 迁移 (qiān yí) is broader and can include both animals and humans, as well as abstract concepts like data.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 迁移 with the simpler 移动 (yí dòng), misusing it in contexts that require more specific language about migration. For example, saying '我迁移家' (Wǒ qiān yí jiā) instead of '我搬家' (Wǒ bān jiā) for 'I'm moving houses' is incorrect.

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迁
移

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Cultural Notes for 迁移

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

Migration is often viewed as a personal choice in Western cultures, whereas in Chinese culture, it can sometimes be influenced by familial duty or societal expectations.

Frequently asked questions about 迁移

Yes, 迁移 can be used to describe the process of moving houses, especially when referring to a significant relocation.

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