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卿 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
qīngnoble; minister; thou (poetic)nr, 10 strokes, radical 卩, rank #32817, Very Hard
qīnghigh ranking official (old)unknown, 10 strokes, radical 卩, rank #32817, Very Hard
qīngterm of endearment between spouses (old)unknown, 10 strokes, radical 卩, rank #32817, Very Hard
qīng(from the Tang Dynasty onwards) term used by the emperor for his subjects (old)unknown, 10 strokes, radical 卩, rank #32817, Very Hard
qīnghonorific (old)unknown, 10 strokes, radical 卩, rank #32817, Very Hard
qīng(qing1) T1
  1. 1noble; minister; thou (poetic)
  2. 2high ranking official (old)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
qīng(qing1)

The character 卿 (qīng) historically refers to a noble or high-ranking official, often used in formal or poetic contexts. It can also denote a term of endearment between spouses, particularly in classical literature. In modern usage, it may be considered archaic or poetic, often evoking a sense of respect or intimacy.

Strokes10RadicalFrequency#32817DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In ancient China, 卿 was often used by emperors to address their subjects, reflecting the hierarchical structure of society. This character symbolizes the respect and status associated with nobility in Chinese history.

Memory Tip

Imagine a noble figure dressed in elegant robes, standing in a palace (the character 卿 resembles a person in a dignified posture). Picture the noble addressing their beloved with the word 'thou' as a sign of deep affection. This connection between nobility and intimate address helps remember the character’s meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 卿

qīng(qing1)
1noble; minister; thou (poetic)
2high ranking official (old)
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 卿

Simplified
10Strokes
Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 卿

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AI Study Notes for 卿

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a noble figure dressed in elegant robes, standing in a palace (the character 卿 resembles a person in a dignified posture). Picture the noble addressing their beloved with the word 'thou' as a sign of deep affection. This connection between nobility and intimate address helps remember the character’s meaning and pronunciation.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include using 卿 in casual contexts where simpler terms would be more appropriate. It tends to be used in formal or literary settings rather than everyday conversation. Be mindful of its poetic nuances; using it casually can sound overly dramatic.

HSK Study Tips

Although 卿 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects to other classical terms frequently encountered in literature. Students should focus on recognizing its historical and cultural contexts, as well as its use in expressions of respect.

Cultural Note

In ancient China, 卿 was often used by emperors to address their subjects, reflecting the hierarchical structure of society. This character symbolizes the respect and status associated with nobility in Chinese history.

Common Mistakes

Learners might mistakenly use 卿 in informal settings, leading to awkwardness. For example, saying '卿好' (qīng hǎo) as a casual greeting is incorrect; instead, use '你好' (nǐ hǎo).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 卿

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Etymology of 卿

Decomposition of 卿

IDS Structure⿴卯?
Full Character
=
mao3
enclosing
Exercise 1 of 1

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 卿?

Write 卿

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

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Grammar Patterns of 卿

卿 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 5 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

Complete the Sentence

国务____已被那些诡辩之词给说服了。

The Secretary of State has given in to special pleading.

Example Sentences for 卿 (10)

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1
国务卿已被那些诡辩之词给说服了。

guó wù qīng yǐ bèi nà xiē guǐ biàn zhī cí gěi shuō fú le。

The Secretary of State has given in to special pleading.
2
他总是卿卿我我地跟女朋友煲电话粥。

tā zǒng shì qīng qīng wǒ wǒ dì gēn nǚ péng yǒu bāo diàn huà zhōu。

He's constantly on the phone to his girlfriend being soppy.
3
冯云卿陪着笑脸说,就把那些票据收起来.

féng yún qīng péi zháo xiào liǎn shuō, , jiù bǎ nà xiē piào jù shōu qǐ.

He smiled placatingly and tucked the bills away in his pocket.
4
冯云卿 猛的坐起来,惊惶地反问.

féng yún qīng měng de zuò qǐ, lái , jīng huáng dì.

Feng Yun - ching asked nervously, sitting up with a start.
5
冯云卿 他们吓得面如土色.

féng yún qīng tā mén xià dé miàn rú tǔ.

Feng Yun - ching and Ho Shen - an were scared to death.
6
冯云卿 转过脸来,愕然睁大了眼睛.

féng yún qīng zhuǎn guò liǎn, lái , è rán zhēng dà le.

Feng Yun - ching turned round and looked at her wide - eyed.
7
冯云卿 只是涎着脸笑.

féng yún qīng zhī shì xián zháo liǎn.

Feng Yun - ching was doing his best to hold his apologetic smile.
8
略一迟疑以后,冯云卿就给了一百块.

lüè yī chí yí yǐ hòu, , féng yún qīng jiù gěi le yī bǎi.

After a moment's hesitation Feng Yun - ching handed over a hundred dollars.
9
冯云卿涨红了脸急口地说.

féng yún qīng zhǎng hóng le liǎn jí kǒu dì shuō.

Feng Yun - ching 's face was flushed as he hastily made this reply.
10
何慎庵赶快接着说, 便坐在冯云卿的对面.

hé shèn ān gǎn kuài jiē zháo shuō, , biàn zuò zài féng yún qīng de duì.

Ho Shen - an hurriedly assured him, then sat down opposite him.

Cultural Notes for 卿

🏮Cultural insight

In ancient China, 卿 was often used by emperors to address their subjects, reflecting the hierarchical structure of society. This character symbolizes the respect and status associated with nobility in Chinese history.

Word Family of 卿

Words Containing This Character7
国务卿Secretary of State國務卿
qīnghonorific (old)
卿卿我我to bill and coo (idiom)
颜真卿Yan Zhenqing (709-785), a leading calligrapher of the Tang Dynasty顏真卿
关汉卿Guan Hanqing (c. 1235-c. 1300), Yuan dynasty dramatist in the 雜劇|杂剧 tradition of musical comedy, one of the Four Great Yuan dramatists 元曲四大家關漢卿
公卿high-ranking officials in the court of a Chinese emperor
徐祯卿Xu Zhenqing (1479-1511), Ming writer, one of Four great southern talents of the Ming 江南四大才子徐禎卿
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 国务卿 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 卿

While 卿 is not commonly used in everyday language, it may appear in poetry or formal writing.