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March 24, 2026
球qiú(qiu2)
The character 球 (qiú) primarily means 'ball' or 'sphere.' It is commonly used in contexts related to sports, such as ball games or matches, and can refer to various types of spherical objects, including globes. This term is versatile and can be used both literally and metaphorically, especially in phrases about competition or teamwork.
Strokes11Radical王Frequency#467DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sports like basketball and soccer are immensely popular, and the term 球 is integral to discussing these activities. Events related to ball games often foster community spirit and are celebrated with local enthusiasm.
Memory Tip
Imagine a shiny, round ball (球) that you can kick or throw. The character has a component for jade (王) on top, suggesting something precious, and the bottom part looks like a circle, reinforcing the idea of roundness. Picture yourself playing with your favorite ball to remember 'qiú.'
Meanings of 球
qiú(qiu2)
1ball
2sphere
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 球
球Simplified
11Strokes
王Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#467Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 球
Podcast: 球
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AI Study Notes for 球
Quick Contrast
球 (qiú) vs 橄榄球 (gǎnlǎnqiú) — use 球 for general 'ball' and 橄榄球 specifically for 'rugby'.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone when using 球, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other words. It's commonly used with classifiers like 个 (gè) for general objects or 场 (chǎng) for matches, so be sure to pair it correctly. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where more specific terms might be preferred.
HSK Study Tips
Although 球 is not explicitly listed in the HSK vocabulary, it is relevant for learners at HSK 1-2 levels due to its frequent use in everyday conversation. Focus on practicing phrases with 球 in sports contexts and with its common collocations to build familiarity.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 球 with similar-sounding words. For example, they might say 'qiū' (with a high tone) instead of 'qiú.' Always remember that 球 is pronounced with a rising tone: qiú.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 球
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Phonosemantic compound. 𤣩 represents the meaning and 求 represents the sound.
1The meaning half王 carries the sense.
2The sound half求 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayjade
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 球? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 球?
Decomposition of 球
IDS Structure⿰王求
球Full Character
=
王Wang2
left
求qiu2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 球?
How to say ball in Chinese
“ball” in Chinese is球qiú
The character 球 (qiú) primarily means 'ball' or 'sphere.' It is commonly used in contexts related to sports, such as ball games or matches, and can refer to various types of spherical objects, including globes. This term is versatile and can be used both literally and metaphorically, especially in phrases about competition or teamwork.
When to use 球
Be mindful of the tone when using 球, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other words. It's commonly used with classifiers like 个 (gè) for general objects or 场 (chǎng) for matches, so be sure to pair it correctly. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where more specific terms might be preferred.
球 or something close to it
球 (qiú) vs 橄榄球 (gǎnlǎnqiú) — use 球 for general 'ball' and 橄榄球 specifically for 'rugby'.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 球 with similar-sounding words. For example, they might say 'qiū' (with a high tone) instead of 'qiú.' Always remember that 球 is pronounced with a rising tone: qiú.
Write 球
球
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Practice writing 球 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 球
球 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.
