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輕 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
輕qīnglight, gentle; simple, easyx, 14 strokes, radical 車, rank #46820, Very Hard
qīng(qing1)qing T1
  1. 1light, gentle; simple, easy
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March 24, 2026

輕qīng(qing1)

The character 輕 (qīng) primarily means 'light' in terms of weight, suggesting an object that is easy to lift or carry. It can also convey a sense of gentleness or simplicity, often used in contexts describing actions or feelings that are mild or not intense.

Strokes14Radical車Frequency#46820DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 'lightness' is often associated with a sense of ease and tranquility, particularly in traditional practices like Tai Chi, where movements are meant to be gentle and flow smoothly.

Memory tip

Imagine a feather (the radical for lightness) floating gently in the air, representing the idea of something being 'light' or 'gentle.' The pronunciation 'qīng' can be remembered by thinking of a 'keen' feeling when you lift something light.

Meanings of 輕

qīng(qing1)
1light, gentle; simple, easy
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 輕

輕Simplified
14Strokes
車Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 輕

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Podcast: 輕

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AI study notes for 輕

Quick Contrast

轻 (qīng) vs 轻松 (qīngsōng) — use 轻 for describing weight or mildness, while 轻松 emphasizes ease or relaxation.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 輕 with 重 (zhòng), which means 'heavy.' It's important to note that 輕 can also describe a gentle touch or approach, making it versatile in both formal and informal contexts. Be careful with the tone; the first tone is important for clarity.

HSK Study Tips

Although 輕 is not in the official HSK vocabulary list, it connects to other descriptive adjectives in the language. Focus on using it with verbs or nouns to describe actions or objects, enhancing your descriptive vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mix up 輕 (light) with 轻 (also qīng, simplified form), especially in writing. Always remember that 輕 is the traditional form and can be used interchangeably in many contexts, but be mindful of the audience when choosing which form to use.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 輕

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Etymology of 輕

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 輕. Phonosemantic compound. 車 represents the meaning and 巠 represents the sound.

Memory hint

cart

Semantic (meaning)車
+
Phonetic (sound)巠
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

輕 = 車 + 巠. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 輕

IDS Structure⿰車巠
輕Full character
=
車che1
left
巠jing1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 輕?

How to say light, gentle; simple, easy in Chinese

“light, gentle; simple, easy” in Chinese is輕qīng

The character 輕 (qīng) primarily means 'light' in terms of weight, suggesting an object that is easy to lift or carry. It can also convey a sense of gentleness or simplicity, often used in contexts describing actions or feelings that are mild or not intense.

When to use 輕

Learners often confuse 輕 with 重 (zhòng), which means 'heavy.' It's important to note that 輕 can also describe a gentle touch or approach, making it versatile in both formal and informal contexts. Be careful with the tone; the first tone is important for clarity.

輕 or something close to it

轻 (qīng) vs 轻松 (qīngsōng) — use 轻 for describing weight or mildness, while 轻松 emphasizes ease or relaxation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mix up 輕 (light) with 轻 (also qīng, simplified form), especially in writing. Always remember that 輕 is the traditional form and can be used interchangeably in many contexts, but be mindful of the audience when choosing which form to use.

Write 輕

輕

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

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Word Family of 輕

Words containing this character20
年轻niánqīngyoung年輕
轻松qīngsōnglight輕鬆
轻qīnglight輕
年轻人young people年輕人
轻易qīngyìeasily輕易
轻轻lightly輕輕
减轻jiǎnqīngto lighten減輕
轻微qīngwēislight輕微
轻度mild (symptoms etc)輕度
轻而易举qīng’éryìjǔeasy輕而易舉
轻声quietly輕聲
轻视qīngshìcontempt輕視
轻柔soft輕柔
轻盈graceful輕盈
轻薄frivolous輕薄
轻伤lightly wounded輕傷
举足轻重jǔzúqīngzhònginfluential舉足輕重
轻巧deft輕巧
轻型qīngxínglight (machinery, aircraft etc)輕型
轻率cavalier輕率
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 輕

What does 年轻 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 輕

You can say '這個包很輕' (zhège bāo hěn qīng), meaning 'This bag is very light.'

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