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March 24, 2026
其qí(qi2)
The character 其 (qí) is a possessive pronoun that translates to 'his', 'her', 'its', or 'their', and is often used in a formal context. It can also mean 'that' or 'such', referring to something mentioned earlier in conversation. This character is frequently used in written Chinese, especially in literary or formal texts.
Strokes8Radical八Frequency#982DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The use of 其 in classical literature reflects the formal style of ancient Chinese writing, which often emphasizes possession and relationships. This character is prevalent in historical texts, emphasizing the societal norms around respect and hierarchy.
Memory Tip
Imagine '其' as a key (the character's shape resembles a key) that unlocks possession; think of it as the key to someone's belongings. The pronunciation 'qí' can be remembered by associating it with the word 'key' to help reinforce its meaning of possession.
Meanings of 其
qí(qi2)
1his
2her
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 其
其Simplified
8Strokes
八Radical
代词dàicípronoun (pron.)Part of Speech
#982Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 其
Podcast: 其
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AI Study Notes for 其
Usage Notes
Learners should be cautious not to confuse 其 with other pronouns like 他 (tā, he) or 她 (tā, she), as 其 is more formal. It is often used in fixed expressions or classical texts, so it may not be used in everyday conversations. Pay attention to the context to choose the right form of 'his/her/its/their'.
HSK Study Tips
Although 其 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it appears in advanced texts that students may encounter. It connects with other possessive structures and formal expressions, so learners should focus on recognizing its usage in literature and formal writing.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 其 in informal settings where 他 or 她 would be more appropriate, such as saying '其是我朋友' instead of '他是我朋友'. Another mistake is confusing its meaning with '这' (this) or '那' (that), as its use is more nuanced.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 其
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Pictograph of a basket, now written as 箕. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 其? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Decomposition of 其
IDS Structure⿱甘⿱一八
其Full Character
=
甘Gan1
top
一yi1
top
八ba1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 3
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 其?
How to say his in Chinese
“his” in Chinese is其qí
The character 其 (qí) is a possessive pronoun that translates to 'his', 'her', 'its', or 'their', and is often used in a formal context. It can also mean 'that' or 'such', referring to something mentioned earlier in conversation. This character is frequently used in written Chinese, especially in literary or formal texts.
When to use 其
Learners should be cautious not to confuse 其 with other pronouns like 他 (tā, he) or 她 (tā, she), as 其 is more formal. It is often used in fixed expressions or classical texts, so it may not be used in everyday conversations. Pay attention to the context to choose the right form of 'his/her/its/their'.
What learners get wrong
A common mistake is using 其 in informal settings where 他 or 她 would be more appropriate, such as saying '其是我朋友' instead of '他是我朋友'. Another mistake is confusing its meaning with '这' (this) or '那' (that), as its use is more nuanced.
Write 其
其
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Practice writing 其 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 其
其 functions as a pronoun — it stands in for a noun. Use it in the same positions as nouns (subject before verb, object after). Plurals are formed by adding 们 (我们, 他们). It carries 8 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.
When your exhaust falls off, you have to replace it.
11
他非常珍惜其父母为他所做的一切。
Tā fēicháng zhēnxī qí fùmǔ wèi tā suǒ zuò de yīqiè.
He greatly cherishes everything his parents have done for him.
12
他对其未来的计划充满信心。
Tā duì qí wèilái de jìhuà chōngmǎn xìnxīn.
He is full of confidence in his future plans.
13
尽管其观点不同，我们仍然尊重他的意见。
Jǐnguǎn qí guāndiǎn bùtóng, wǒmen réngrán zūnzhòng tā de yìjiàn.
Despite his different views, we still respect his opinion.
14
其作品被认为是当代艺术的经典。
Qí zuòpǐn bèi rènwéi shì dāngdài yìshù de jīngdiǎn.
His works are considered classics of contemporary art.
Cultural Notes for 其
💡Did you know?
The character 其 has been used in classical Chinese literature for centuries, often seen in philosophical texts. It exemplifies the fluidity of pronouns in Chinese, where one character can convey multiple meanings based on context.
Word Family of 其
Compounds44
斯Si1Slovakia
期qi1variant of 期[qī]
基ji1base
欺qi1to take unfair advantage of
旗qi2flag
琪qi2fine jade
棋qi2variant of 棋[qí]
淇qi2a river in Henan province
簸bo3to winnow
麒qi2mythical unicorn
箕ji1sieve; dust pan; garbage bag
骐qi2piebald horse; excellent horse
祺qi2good luck, good fortune
鲯qi2ray-finned fish; Coryphaena hippurus
萁qi2pulses, legumes
娸
帺
惎
綦qi2dark gray; variegated; superlative
蜞qi2lightfoot crab; worm, leech
褀
褰qian14undergarment; to pick up one's skirt
諆
錤
魌
倛
剘
唭
掑
朞
棊
猉
碁
稘
簱
籏
粸
綨
蜝
諅
踑
騏
鯕qi2ray-finned fish; Coryphaena hippurus
鶀
Words Containing This Character20
其他qítāother
其qíhis
其实qíshíactually其實
其中qízhōngamong
其它other
尤其yóuqíespecially
及其jíqíand
尤其是especially
其次qícìnext
其余qíyúthe rest其餘
极其jíqíextremely極其
与其yǔqírather than...與其
土耳其Turkey
莫名其妙mòmíngqímiào(idiom) baffling
其后qíhòunext其後
其一the first
其间qíjiānin between其間
名副其实míngfùqíshínot just in name only, but also in reality (idiom)名副其實
其二secondly
突如其来tūrúqíláito arise abruptly突如其來
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 斯 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 其
其 (qí) is a more formal or literary equivalent of 他的 (tā de), which means 'his.' While 他的 is commonly used in everyday conversation, 其 is less frequent and more suitable for written or formal contexts.
Yes, 其 (qí) can refer to multiple subjects when used in the context of 'their' or 'those.' For instance, 其人 (qí rén) can mean 'those people.' It’s important to consider the context to ensure clarity.
其 (qí) is a pronoun in Chinese that translates to 'his,' 'her,' 'its,' or 'their.' It can also mean 'that' or 'such' when used in different contexts. It's often found in literary or formal texts.
You can use 其 (qí) to refer to possession or attribution. For example, in the sentence 这是他的书， 这是其书 (Zhè shì tā de shū, zhè shì qí shū), it emphasizes 'this is his book, this is that book.' It’s important to use it in appropriate contexts, especially in formal writing.
No, 其 is more commonly found in formal or literary contexts rather than in casual conversation.
Yes, while 其 can refer to people, it is typically used in a formal context; in ordinary speech, use 他 or 她.
Focus on the context; 其 is used in more formal or literary contexts, while 他 and 她 are used in everyday language.
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