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March 24, 2026
丘Qiū(Qiu1)
丘 (qiū) primarily refers to a mound or hillock, representing a small elevated landform. It can also be used as a surname and as a classifier for fields, indicating its versatility in both geographical and personal contexts. In addition to its physical meaning, it can carry connotations related to burial sites or graves.
Strokes5Radical一Frequency#10178DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
The character 丘 often appears in Chinese place names that reference hills or mounds, reflecting the importance of natural landscapes in Chinese culture and history. Many ancient burial sites are also referred to by this term, linking it to ancestral reverence.
Memory tip
Imagine a small hill (丘) shaped like a 'Q' for Qiū, where you might find a grave or a field. Visualize standing on a soft, grassy mound, looking out at a peaceful landscape, which helps you remember both the shape and the pronunciation.
Meanings of 丘
Qiū(Qiu1)
1mound
2hillock
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 丘
丘Simplified
5Strokes
一Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#10178Frequency Rank
Podcast: 丘
Podcast: 丘
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AI study notes for 丘
Quick Contrast
丘 (qiū, mound) vs 山 (shān, mountain) — use 丘 for smaller elevated landforms, while 山 refers to larger mountains.
Usage Notes
丘 is mostly used in written contexts rather than in colloquial speech. Be cautious not to confuse it with other similar characters like '丘' (qiū) and '丘陵' (qiūlíng - hill range). It is used formally and may appear in historical or geographical discussions.
HSK Study Tips
丘 is not on the official HSK list, but it's useful for learners at HSK 3 or 4 as it connects to geographical terms. Focus on recognizing it alongside other nature-related vocabulary, as well as its uses in family names and classifiers.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 丘 with similar characters like '丘陵' (hill range) or '山' (mountain). For example, saying '我住在一个丘陵' (I live in a hill range) instead of '我住在一个丘' (I live on a hill) can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 丘
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Learning Lab
Knowing 丘 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.
丘 (qiū) primarily refers to a mound or hillock, representing a small elevated landform. It can also be used as a surname and as a classifier for fields, indicating its versatility in both geographical and personal contexts. In addition to its physical meaning, it can carry connotations related to burial sites or graves.
When to use 丘
丘 is mostly used in written contexts rather than in colloquial speech. Be cautious not to confuse it with other similar characters like '丘' (qiū) and '丘陵' (qiūlíng - hill range). It is used formally and may appear in historical or geographical discussions.
丘 or something close to it
丘 (qiū, mound) vs 山 (shān, mountain) — use 丘 for smaller elevated landforms, while 山 refers to larger mountains.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 丘 with similar characters like '丘陵' (hill range) or '山' (mountain). For example, saying '我住在一个丘陵' (I live in a hill range) instead of '我住在一个丘' (I live on a hill) can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 丘
丘
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Grammar patterns of 丘
丘 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 6 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.
我想在我的结婚蛋糕上装饰一些____比特的造型。
I would like my wedding cake decorated with cupids.
Example sentences for 丘 (10)
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1
我想在我的结婚蛋糕上装饰一些丘比特的造型。
wǒ xiǎng zài wǒ de jiéhūn dàngāo shàng zhuāngshì yìxiē Qiū bǐtè de zàoxíng。
I would like my wedding cake decorated with cupids.
2
从我们的房子里向外望去，景色宜人，一直能看到科茨沃尔德丘陵。
cóng wǒmen de fángzi lǐ xiàng wài wàng qù， jǐngsè yírén， yìzhí néng kàndào kē cí wò ěr dé qiūlíng。
Our house has got a splendid view across to the Cotswolds.
3
丘吉尔在世时，人们对他近乎崇拜。
Qiū jí ěr zài shì shí， rénmen duì tā jìn hū chóngbài。
Churchill was held in near veneration during his lifetime.
4
帕萨迪纳坐落于圣加布里埃尔山麓的丘陵地带。
pà sà dí nà zuòluò yú shèng jiā bù lǐ āi ěr shān lù de qiūlíng dìdài。
Pasadena lies in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains.
