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March 24, 2026
迁(遷)qiān(qian1)
The character 迁 (qiān) primarily means 'to move' or 'to shift,' often in the context of changing location or position. It can refer to physical relocation, like moving a house, or metaphorical changes, such as altering one's job or status. This word is commonly used in both everyday and formal contexts, such as discussing migration or promotion.
Strokes6Radical辶Frequency#17520DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of moving is often linked to auspiciousness and luck. For instance, moving into a new home is typically associated with new beginnings and can involve rituals to ensure good fortune.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person carrying a large box (the character 迁) as they move from one house to another. The left component, '迁' resembles a person (亻), and the right part (迁) can remind you of a path, suggesting movement. Picture the sound 'qiān' as the call of a person shouting 'I am moving!' to remember both the pronunciation and meaning.
Meanings of 迁
qiān(qian1)
1to move
2to shift
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 迁
迁Simplified
遷Traditional
6Strokes
辶Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#17520Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 迁
Podcast: 迁
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AI Study Notes for 迁
Quick Contrast
迁 (qiān) vs 移 (yí) — use 迁 for relocation or change of residence, while 移 emphasizes the act of moving from one place to another without the connotation of settling in.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person carrying a large box (the character 迁) as they move from one house to another. The left component, '迁' resembles a person (亻), and the right part (迁) can remind you of a path, suggesting movement. Picture the sound 'qiān' as the call of a person shouting 'I am moving!' to remember both the pronunciation and meaning.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 迁 with other similar verbs like 移 (yí), which also means 'to move' but carries a slightly different nuance. 迁 is more often used in formal contexts, while 移 can be used informally. Be mindful of the tone, as using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
Although 迁 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it connects well with other movement-related words like 移动 (yídòng - to move) and 转移 (zhuǎnyí - to transfer). Focus on using 迁 in sentences related to relocation or changes in status to reinforce its usage.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of moving is often linked to auspiciousness and luck. For instance, moving into a new home is typically associated with new beginnings and can involve rituals to ensure good fortune.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 迁 with 移, using it incorrectly in informal contexts. For example, saying '我想迁我的桌子' (Wǒ xiǎng qiān wǒ de zhuōzi) is awkward; instead, use '我想移我的桌子' (Wǒ xiǎng yí wǒ de zhuōzi).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 迁
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Grammar Patterns of 迁
迁 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 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
《伦敦标准晚报》报址几年前____走了。
The London Evening Standard moved offices a few years ago.
These birds migrate northwards in spring and southwards in fall.
10
有些鸟随季节迁徙.
yǒu xiē niǎo suí jì jié qiān xǐ.
Some birds migrate as season changes.
Cultural Notes for 迁
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of moving is often linked to auspiciousness and luck. For instance, moving into a new home is typically associated with new beginnings and can involve rituals to ensure good fortune.
Word Family of 迁
Compounds1
跹xian1to walk about; to revolve; to dance
Words Containing This Character20
拆迁chāiqiānto demolish a building and relocate the inhabitants拆遷
迁qiānto move遷
搬迁bānqiānto move搬遷
迁移qiānyíto migrate遷移
迁徙qiānxǐto migrate遷徙
迁就qiānjiùto yield遷就
升迁promote升遷
变迁biànqiānchanges變遷
乔迁promotion喬遷
迁怒to take one's anger out on sb (who does not deserve it)遷怒
时过境迁things change with the passage of time (idiom)時過境遷
迁入to move in (to new lodging)遷入
迁居to move (from one residence to another)遷居
乔迁之喜congratulations on house-moving or promotion (idiom); Best wishes for your new home!喬遷之喜
司马迁Sima Qian (145-86 BC), Han Dynasty historian, author of Records of the Grand Historian 史記|史记[Shǐjì], known as the father of Chinese historiography司馬遷
见异思迁never satisfied with what one has見異思遷
事过境迁It is water under the bridge.事過境遷
宿迁Suqian prefecture level city in Jiangsu宿遷
迁都to move the capital (city)遷都
迁延long delay遷延
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 跹 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 迁
Yes, 迁 can be used in the context of moving furniture, but it's more common to use 移动 (yídòng) for such physical movements.
No, 迁 can also refer to changing jobs or positions, not just relocating physically.
Not necessarily; 迁 can refer to both temporary and permanent changes in location or status.
