Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
钦 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
钦Qīnsurname Qinnr, 9 strokes, radical 钅, rank #29396, Very Hard
钦Qīnto respectnr, 9 strokes, radical 钅, rank #29396, Very Hard
钦Qīnto admirenr, 9 strokes, radical 钅, rank #29396, Very Hard
钦Qīnto veneratenr, 9 strokes, radical 钅, rank #29396, Very Hard
钦Qīnto respect, to admire; royalnr, 9 strokes, radical 钅, rank #29396, Very Hard
钦Qīnby the emperor himselfnr, 9 strokes, radical 钅, rank #29396, Very Hard
Qīn(Qin1)qin T1
  1. 1surname Qin
  2. 2to respect
Also a Chinese surname, Qin — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

钦(欽)Qīn(Qin1)

The character 钦 (qīn) primarily means to respect, admire, or venerate, often in a context associated with reverence or honor. It can also refer to something done by the emperor himself, indicating a royal or official nature. This word is commonly used in formal contexts, such as literature or discussions about historical figures.

Strokes9Radical钅Frequency#29396DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, respect for authority and ancestors has always been significant, making this character relevant in discussions about filial piety and loyalty. It reflects the societal values where admiration for leaders and historical figures is emphasized.

Memory Tip

Imagine a royal figure (like an emperor) wearing a crown made of precious metals (the radical 钅 represents metal) and feeling deep respect for their ancestors. The sound 'qīn' can remind you of 'kin', as in kinship, which relates to the respect we have for family and heritage.

Meanings of 钦

Qīn(Qin1)
1to respect
2to admire
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 钦 means.

About 钦

钦Simplified
欽Traditional
9Strokes
钅Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#29396Frequency Rank

Podcast: 钦

JasonAmy

Podcast: 钦

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 钦

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 钦 with other similar-sounding characters that express respect or admiration. It's important to use this term in formal contexts, as it may sound overly grand in casual conversation. Be cautious with tone, as mispronouncing the first tone can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

While 钦 is not currently part of the HSK vocabulary list, it can be connected to words at this level that express respect and admiration, such as 敬 (jìng) meaning 'to respect'. Students should focus on the nuances of respect in different contexts when learning this character.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 钦 with 敬 (jìng), which also means to respect but is more commonly used. For example, saying '我钦他' (wǒ qīn tā) instead of '我敬他' (wǒ jìng tā) is incorrect in casual contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 钦

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 钦 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 钦 to You

Let me explain 钦 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 钦 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 钦?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 钦 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 钦

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

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 欠 represents the sound. Simplified form of 欽.

Memory Hint

gold

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

Origin

钦 = 钅 + 欠. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 钦

IDS Structure⿰钅欠
钦Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
欠qian4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 钦?

How to say surname Qin in Chinese

“surname Qin” in Chinese is钦Qīn

The character 钦 (qīn) primarily means to respect, admire, or venerate, often in a context associated with reverence or honor. It can also refer to something done by the emperor himself, indicating a royal or official nature. This word is commonly used in formal contexts, such as literature or discussions about historical figures.

When to use 钦

Common mistakes include confusing 钦 with other similar-sounding characters that express respect or admiration. It's important to use this term in formal contexts, as it may sound overly grand in casual conversation. Be cautious with tone, as mispronouncing the first tone can change the meaning.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 钦 with 敬 (jìng), which also means to respect but is more commonly used. For example, saying '我钦他' (wǒ qīn tā) instead of '我敬他' (wǒ jìng tā) is incorrect in casual contexts.

Write 钦

钦

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 钦

钦 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

戴维发誓要离开这个项目,我不得不对他表示____佩。

I had to admire David's vow that he would leave the programme.

Example Sentences for 钦 (7)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
戴维发誓要离开这个项目,我不得不对他表示钦佩。

dài wéi fā shì yào lí kāi zhè gè xiàng mù, , wǒ bù dé bù duì tā biǎo shì qīn。

I had to admire David's vow that he would leave the programme.
2
贝顿是个令人钦佩的人物。

bèi dùn shì gè líng rén qīn pèi de rén wù。

Beyton is an admirable character.
3
我钦佩他是个真正的科学家和勤奋工作的人。

wǒ qīn pèi tā shì gè zhēn zhèng de kē xué jiā hé qín fèn gōng zuò de rén。

I admired him as a true scientist and hard worker.
4
他白手起家,人们对他都很钦佩。

tā bái shǒu qǐ jiā, , rén mén duì tā dū hěn qīn。

His was a rags-to-riches story and people admire that.
5
希钦斯先生说您破过一些非常离奇的案子。

xī qīn sī xiān shēng shuō nín pò guò yī xiē fēi cháng lí qí de àn zǐ。

Mr. Hitchens said you have solved some very unusual cases.
6
“干得太棒了,”克劳德钦佩地说。

“ “ gān dé tài bàng,” le ,” kè láo dé qīn pèi。

"Well done," said Claud in admiration.
7
廷斯利博士在棋盘上还有5枚棋子,对手钦诺克还有4枚。

tíng sī lì bó shì zài qí pán shàng huán yǒu5 5 méi qí, zǐ , duì shǒu qīn nuò kè4 huán。

Dr Tinsley had five pieces on the board against Chinook's four.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 钦?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Word Family of 钦

Compounds1
揿qin4to press
Words Containing This Character20
钦佩qīnpèito admire欽佩
钦Qīnto respect欽
叶利钦Yeltsin (name)葉利欽
令人钦佩admirable令人欽佩
钦差imperial envoy欽差
钦州Qinzhou prefecture level city in Guangxi欽州
钦定compiled and published by Imperial command (old)欽定
何应钦He Yingqin (1890-1987), senior Guomindang general何應欽
钦州市Qinzhou prefecture level city in Guangxi欽州市
尤尔钦科Yurchenko (name)尤爾欽科
德钦Dechen county in Diqing Tibetan autonomous prefecture 迪慶藏族自治州|迪庆藏族自治州[Dí​qìng​Zàng​zú​zì​zhì​zhōu], Yunnan (formerly in Kham province of Tibet)德欽
钦敬to admire and respect欽敬
德钦县Dechen county in Diqing Tibetan autonomous prefecture 迪慶藏族自治州|迪庆藏族自治州[Dí​qìng​Zàng​zú​zì​zhì​zhōu], Yunnan (formerly in Kham province of Tibet)德欽縣
钦羡to admire欽羨
钦命Imperial order or edict (old)欽命
王钦若Wang Qinruo (962-1025), Northern Song dynasty official王欽若
钦仰to admire and respect欽仰
钦南区Qinnan district of Qinzhou city 欽州市|钦州市[Qīn​zhōu​shì], Guangxi欽南區
钦奈formerly called Madras 馬德拉斯|马德拉斯[Mǎ​dé​lā​sī]欽奈
钦北区Qinbei district of Qinzhou city 欽州市|钦州市[Qīn​zhōu​shì], Guangxi欽北區
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 钦

What does 揿 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 钦

The primary meaning of 钦 is to respect or admire, often in a formal or royal context.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 钦?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab