unknown, 10 strokes, radical 虍, rank #67517, Very Hard
qián(qian2) T2
1reverent, devout
2to act with reverence
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March 24, 2026
虔qián(qian2)
The character 虔 (qián) conveys a sense of reverence and devotion, often used in religious or spiritual contexts. It describes an attitude of deep respect and sincerity, frequently associated with worship or solemn occasions.
Strokes10Radical虍Frequency#67517DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The concept of reverence is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, particularly in Confucianism, where respect for ancestors and traditions is paramount. The character is often found in contexts related to rituals and ceremonies honoring the deceased.
Memory Tip
Think of 虔 as a 'deer' (the component '犭' resembles a dog, but imagine it as a deer) bowing down in reverence in front of a sacred mountain (the '山' radical). The sound 'qián' can be remembered by picturing a humble person quietly praying in front of a mountain, symbolizing devotion.
Meanings of 虔
qián(qian2)
1reverent, devout
2to act with reverence
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 虔
虔Simplified
10Strokes
虍Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 虔
Podcast: 虔
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AI Study Notes for 虔
Quick Contrast
虔 (qián) vs 敬 (jìng) — use 虔 for a deeper, more spiritual reverence, while 敬 denotes respect in a more general or formal sense.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 虔 as a 'deer' (the component '犭' resembles a dog, but imagine it as a deer) bowing down in reverence in front of a sacred mountain (the '山' radical). The sound 'qián' can be remembered by picturing a humble person quietly praying in front of a mountain, symbolizing devotion.
Usage Notes
This character is often used in formal contexts, especially relating to religion or ceremonies. Learners should avoid confusing it with similar-sounding characters that do not carry the same weight of respect. Common collocations include phrases like '虔诚' (qiánchéng - devout) and '虔敬' (qiánjìng - reverent).
HSK Study Tips
While 虔 is not in the HSK vocabulary list, understanding it can enhance comprehension of texts dealing with themes of spirituality and respect. Students should focus on its usage in prayers or formal speeches to grasp its full connotation.
Cultural Note
The concept of reverence is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, particularly in Confucianism, where respect for ancestors and traditions is paramount. The character is often found in contexts related to rituals and ceremonies honoring the deceased.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 虔 with similar characters like '倩' (qiàn), which means beautiful or pretty. It's important to remember that 虔 specifically relates to reverence and devotion, not aesthetics.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 虔
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Grammar Patterns of 虔
虔 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. 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
他们将孩子培养成了____诚的基督教徒。
They brought up their children to be God-fearing Christians.
Example Sentences for 虔 (5)
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1
他们将孩子培养成了虔诚的基督教徒。
tā mén jiāng hái zǐ péi yǎng chéng le qián chéng de jī dū jiào tú。
They brought up their children to be God-fearing Christians.
2
他虔诚地跪在床边。
tā qián chéng dì guì zài chuáng biān。
He was kneeling by his bed in an attitude of devotion.
3
她是个虔诚的基督徒，对工作全身心投入。
tā shì gè qián chéng de jī dū tú， ， duì gōng zuò quán shēn xīn tóu。
She was a very strict Christian who was married to her job.
4
康蒂跪下来虔诚地用手在胸前画了个十字。
kāng dì guì xià lái qián chéng dì yòng shǒu zài xiōng qián huà le gè shí zì。
Conti kneeled and crossed himself piously.
5
他是南非仅有的几千名虔诚的拉斯塔法里教徒中的一员。
tā shì nán fēi jǐn yǒu de jī qiān míng qián chéng de lā sī tǎ fǎ lǐ jiào tú zhōng de yī yuán。
He was one of the few thousand committed Rastafarians in South Africa.
Cultural Notes for 虔
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of reverence is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, particularly in Confucianism, where respect for ancestors and traditions is paramount. The character is often found in contexts related to rituals and ceremonies honoring the deceased.
Word Family of 虔
Words Containing This Character5
虔诚qiánchéngpious虔誠
虔qiánreverent
虔敬reverent
虔信piety
虔信者devotee
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 虔诚 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 虔
It is pronounced as 'qián' with a rising tone.
It is more commonly used in formal or religious contexts rather than in casual conversations.
Common phrases include '虔诚' (qiánchéng - devout) and '虔敬' (qiánjìng - reverent).
