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妻 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
妻
qī
wife
n, 8 strokes, radical 女, rank #3951, Hard
妻
qī
to marry off (a daughter)
n, 8 strokes, radical 女, rank #3951, Hard
妻
qì
wife
n, 8 strokes, radical 女, rank #3951, Hard
妻
qì
to marry off (a daughter)
n, 8 strokes, radical 女, rank #3951, Hard
qī(qi1)qi
primary
T1
1wife
2to marry off (a daughter)
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March 24, 2026
妻qī(qi1)
The character 妻 (qī) refers to 'wife' in Mandarin and is commonly used in contexts discussing marriage, family, and relationships. It can also imply the act of marrying off a daughter, which reflects traditional familial roles. This character is often used in formal and informal settings when discussing one's spouse or family structure.
Strokes8Radical女Frequency#3951DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of a wife often embodies specific roles within the family, including managing the household and raising children, reflecting Confucian values about family hierarchy and responsibilities.
Memory tip
Imagine a woman (the character 妻) sitting in a cozy home, symbolizing warmth and partnership, which is what a wife represents. The top component, 女 (nǚ), means 'woman,' and the bottom component suggests a dwelling, helping you visualize a wife as the woman of the home.
Meanings of 妻
qī(qi1)
primary
1wife
2to marry off (a daughter)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 妻
妻Simplified
8Strokes
女Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3951Frequency Rank
Podcast: 妻
Podcast: 妻
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AI study notes for 妻
Quick Contrast
妻 (wife) vs 媳 (daughter-in-law) — use 妻 when referring to one's spouse, while 媳 specifically denotes the wife of one's child.
Usage Notes
When using 妻, it is important to remember that it is typically used in a formal context. Avoid using it in casual situations where more informal terms like '老婆' (lǎopó) might be more appropriate. Be careful with pronunciation, as it has a high tone (qī), which can be confused with other similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 妻 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it relates to other family terms like '母' (mother) and '父' (father) that are essential for HSK Level 1 and 2. Focus on practicing the character in sentences discussing family to reinforce learning.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 妻 to refer to any female partner, but it specifically denotes a wife. For example, saying '我的妻' (wǒ de qī) to mean 'my partner' is incorrect; use '女朋友' (nǚ péngyǒu) for 'girlfriend' instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 妻
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The character 妻 (qī) refers to 'wife' in Mandarin and is commonly used in contexts discussing marriage, family, and relationships. It can also imply the act of marrying off a daughter, which reflects traditional familial roles. This character is often used in formal and informal settings when discussing one's spouse or family structure.
When to use 妻
When using 妻, it is important to remember that it is typically used in a formal context. Avoid using it in casual situations where more informal terms like '老婆' (lǎopó) might be more appropriate. Be careful with pronunciation, as it has a high tone (qī), which can be confused with other similar-sounding words.
妻 or something close to it
妻 (wife) vs 媳 (daughter-in-law) — use 妻 when referring to one's spouse, while 媳 specifically denotes the wife of one's child.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 妻 to refer to any female partner, but it specifically denotes a wife. For example, saying '我的妻' (wǒ de qī) to mean 'my partner' is incorrect; use '女朋友' (nǚ péngyǒu) for 'girlfriend' instead.
Write 妻
妻
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Grammar patterns of 妻
妻 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 2 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.
现在夫____双方分别按各自的收入纳税。
Husband and wife are now taxed separately on their incomes.
Example sentences for 妻 (10)
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1
现在夫妻双方分别按各自的收入纳税。
xiànzài fūqī shuāngfāng fēnbié àn gèzì de shōurù nàshuì。
Husband and wife are now taxed separately on their incomes.
The couple laughed off rumours that their marriage was in trouble.
10
我母亲大谈为妻之道。
wǒ mǔqīn dà tán wèi qī zhī dào。
My mother waxed eloquent on the theme of wifely duty.
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Word Family of 妻
Compounds12
凄qīintense cold
棲qīperch, roost, to stay
萋qīluxuriant foliage
郪qī
啛cuì
悽qīsorrowful, grieving; melancholy
捿qī
淒qībitter, cold, dreary, miserable
緀qī
褄qī
霋qī
鶈qī
Words containing this character16
妻子qīziwife
夫妻fūqīhusband and wife
妻qīwife
前妻qiánqīex-wife
未婚妻wèihūnqīfiancée
妻儿qī’érwife and child妻兒
贤妻良母xiánqīliángmǔa good wife and loving mother賢妻良母
妻妾qīqièharem
娶妻qǔqīto take a wife
妻离子散qīlízǐsàna family wrenched apart (idiom)妻離子散
妻室qīshìwife
发妻fàqīfirst wife髮妻
夫妻店fūqīdiànfamily-run shop
夫妻反目fūqīfǎnmùman and wife fall out (idiom, from Book of Changes); marital strife
封妻荫子fēngqīyìnzǐ(of a deserving official) to grant his wife a title and make his son heir to his titles封妻蔭子
露水夫妻lùshuǐfūqīa couple in a short-lived, improper relationship
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 妻
What does 凄 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 妻
妻 is more formal and typically used in written Chinese or official contexts, while 老婆 is a colloquial term for 'wife' that conveys familiarity and affection.
No, 妻 specifically means 'wife' and does not apply to a girlfriend; other terms should be used for that relationship.
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