unknown, 7 strokes, radical 艹, rank #34089, Very Hard
qín(qin2) T2
1celery
2Chinese celery
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March 24, 2026
芹qín(qin2)
The character 芹 (qín) refers specifically to celery, particularly the type known as Chinese celery, which is thinner and has a stronger flavor than Western celery. It is commonly used in stir-fries and salads in Chinese cuisine, highlighting its versatility and popularity as a vegetable ingredient.
Strokes7Radical艹Frequency#34089DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, celery is not only valued for its flavor but also for its health benefits, such as being low in calories and high in vitamins. It often symbolizes health and vitality in traditional dishes.
Memory Tip
Imagine a slender green stalk (the shape of celery) growing in a field. The character 芹 features the radical '艹' which represents plants, and the remaining components suggest its edible nature. To remember 'qín', think of a chef's 'keen' interest in using this flavorful vegetable.
Meanings of 芹
qín(qin2)
1celery
2Chinese celery
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 芹
芹Simplified
7Strokes
艹Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 芹
Podcast: 芹
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AI Study Notes for 芹
Quick Contrast
芹 (qín) vs 莴苣 (wōjù) — choose 芹 for celery specifically, while 莴苣 refers to lettuce.
Usage Notes
Learners should be aware that 芹 is typically used in culinary contexts, particularly when discussing recipes or ingredients. A common mistake is confusing it with other green vegetables; ensure context indicates celery. This word is generally used in informal settings.
HSK Study Tips
While 芹 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects well with other food-related words at similar levels. Students should focus on vocabulary related to cooking and ingredients to build practical language skills.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is mispronouncing the word as 'qīn' instead of 'qín'. Additionally, learners sometimes confuse 芹 with similar vegetables like 韭 (jiǔ, garlic chives), which have different culinary uses.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 芹
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Drill the tone of 芹 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 斤 represents the sound.
1The meaning half艹 carries the sense.
2The sound half斤 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayplant
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 芹? 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 芹?
Decomposition of 芹
IDS Structure⿱艹斤
芹Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
斤jin1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 芹?
How to say celery in Chinese
“celery” in Chinese is芹qín
The character 芹 (qín) refers specifically to celery, particularly the type known as Chinese celery, which is thinner and has a stronger flavor than Western celery. It is commonly used in stir-fries and salads in Chinese cuisine, highlighting its versatility and popularity as a vegetable ingredient.
When to use 芹
Learners should be aware that 芹 is typically used in culinary contexts, particularly when discussing recipes or ingredients. A common mistake is confusing it with other green vegetables; ensure context indicates celery. This word is generally used in informal settings.
芹 or something close to it
芹 (qín) vs 莴苣 (wōjù) — choose 芹 for celery specifically, while 莴苣 refers to lettuce.
What learners get wrong
A frequent error is mispronouncing the word as 'qīn' instead of 'qín'. Additionally, learners sometimes confuse 芹 with similar vegetables like 韭 (jiǔ, garlic chives), which have different culinary uses.
Write 芹
芹
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Practice writing 芹 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 芹
芹 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
Complete the Sentence
欧____可能是用得最多的一种药草。
Parsley is probably the most commonly used of all herbs.
Example Sentences for 芹 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
欧芹可能是用得最多的一种药草。
ōu qín kě néng shì yòng dé zuì duō de yī zhǒng yào cǎo。
Parsley is probably the most commonly used of all herbs.
2
肉豆蔻、西芹和苹果酒都能很好地突出这些豆子的味道。
ròu dòu kòu、 、 xī qín hé píng guǒ jiǔ dū néng hěn hǎo dì tū chū zhè xiē dòu zǐ de wèi。
Nutmeg, parsley and cider all complement the flavour of these beans well.
