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March 24, 2026
企qǐ(qi3)
The character 企 (qǐ) primarily means 'to plan a project' or 'to stand on tiptoe.' It can be used in contexts related to business plans or strategies, as well as in a physical sense when someone is trying to reach something higher. In Chinese, it often implies a sense of aspiration or striving towards something.
Strokes6Radical人Frequency#20942DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese business culture, the concept of planning and aspiration is highly valued, as reflected in the use of 企 in terms like 企业, which embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person standing on their tiptoes, stretching upwards to reach a high project on a shelf. The character 企 resembles a person (the top part) standing tall on their toes (the bottom part), symbolizing ambition and planning.
Meanings of 企
qǐ(qi3)
1to plan a project
2to stand on tiptoe
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 企
企Simplified
6Strokes
人Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#20942Frequency Rank
Podcast: 企
Podcast: 企
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AI Study Notes for 企
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person standing on their tiptoes, stretching upwards to reach a high project on a shelf. The character 企 resembles a person (the top part) standing tall on their toes (the bottom part), symbolizing ambition and planning.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include using 企 in a context where a more specific term for planning or strategy is needed. It's typically used in informal settings but can be found in business contexts. Be careful with the tones; using the wrong tone can change the meaning completely.
HSK Study Tips
While 企 is not in the HSK vocabulary list, understanding it can connect learners to related words like 企业 (qǐ yè), which means 'enterprise' or 'business.' Students should focus on the different contexts in which 企 can be used.
Cultural Note
In Chinese business culture, the concept of planning and aspiration is highly valued, as reflected in the use of 企 in terms like 企业, which embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 企 with similar-sounding characters. For example, confusing it with 起 (qǐ), which means 'to rise' or 'to get up.' Always remember that 企 relates more to planning or aspiration.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 企
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Grammar Patterns of 企
企 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 7 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.
William joined forces with businessman Nicholas Court to launch the new vehicle.
7
一群骨干右翼参议员曾企图左右自己的同僚。
yī qún gǔ gān yòu yì cān yì yuán zēng qǐ tú zuǒ yòu zì jǐ de tóng liáo。
A hard-core group of right-wing senators had hoped to sway their colleagues.
8
抑郁症使他不止一次地企图自杀。
yì yù zhèng shǐ tā bù zhǐ yī cì dì qǐ tú zì shā。
More than once, depression drove him to attempt suicide.
9
他呼吁企业不要过度提高价格。
tā hū xū qǐ yè bù yào guò dù tí gāo jià gé。
He appealed to firms not to increase their prices unduly.
10
消费有可能超出企业的产能。
xiāo fèi yǒu kě néng chāo chū qǐ yè de chǎn néng。
Spending could outrun the capacity of businesses to produce the goods.
Cultural Notes for 企
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese business culture, the concept of planning and aspiration is highly valued, as reflected in the use of 企 in terms like 企业, which embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Word Family of 企
Compounds1
峜
Words Containing This Character20
企业qǐyècompany企業
企图qǐtúto attempt企圖
企鹅penguin企鵝
企业家entrepreneur企業家
企qǐto plan a project
国有企业nationalized business國有企業
中小企业small and medium enterprise中小企業
企盼to expect
国企state enterprise國企
企及to hope to reach
企望hope
企求to seek for
外资企业abbr. for 外商獨資企業|外商独资企业[wàishāngdúzīqǐyè]外資企業
企业主owner of enterprise企業主
企业集团business conglomerate企業集團
外企wàiqǐforeign enterprise
企划to plan企劃
三资企业foreign, private and joint ventures三資企業
另有企图to have an axe to grind (idiom)另有企圖
翘企to long for翹企
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 企业 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 企
In a business context, 企 refers to planning or strategizing for a project or enterprise.
企 is pronounced as qǐ with a falling-rising tone.
Yes, but it is more commonly used in informal contexts. For formal writing, consider using more specific vocabulary related to planning.
