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March 24, 2026
黔qián(Qian2)
The character 黔 (qián) primarily means 'black' and is often associated with the color's deeper, richer tones. It is also the abbreviation for Guizhou province in China, known for its mountainous terrain and cultural diversity. In this context, it carries geographical significance and can be used in discussions about regional identity.
Strokes16Radical黑Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
Guizhou, represented by 黔, is famous for its rich ethnic diversity and natural beauty, such as the Huangguoshu Waterfall. This character evokes a sense of pride and identity for many who hail from this province.
Memory Tip
Imagine a dark black cloak (the meaning of 黔) worn by a wise sage from Guizhou. The cloak envelops him, symbolizing the depth of the province's culture, while the character's components suggest the color black, resembling shadows that hide secrets.
Meanings of 黔
qián(Qian2)
1black; the Guizhou province
2abbr. for Guizhou province 貴州|贵州[Gui4 zhou1]
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 黔
黔Simplified
16Strokes
黑Radical
简称abbreviation (abbr.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 黔
Podcast: 黔
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AI Study Notes for 黔
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a dark black cloak (the meaning of 黔) worn by a wise sage from Guizhou. The cloak envelops him, symbolizing the depth of the province's culture, while the character's components suggest the color black, resembling shadows that hide secrets.
Usage Notes
When using 黔 to refer to Guizhou province, it is typically in formal or geographical contexts. A common mistake is to confuse it with other characters for 'black,' such as 黑 (hēi), which is more general. Remember to use the correct tone, as the second syllable in 'qián' can be mispronounced.
HSK Study Tips
Although 黔 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is useful to learn in conjunction with other geographical terms. Students should focus on recognizing it in context, especially when discussing places or cultural aspects of Guizhou.
Cultural Note
Guizhou, represented by 黔, is famous for its rich ethnic diversity and natural beauty, such as the Huangguoshu Waterfall. This character evokes a sense of pride and identity for many who hail from this province.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 黔 when they mean 黑 (hēi) for 'black' in everyday conversation. To correct this, remember that 黔 is more specific to the color's depth and is tied to cultural contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 黔
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Grammar Patterns of 黔
黔 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 2
Complete the Sentence
分三大方言: 湘西 、 ____东和川黔滇.
Three major dialects: western Hunan , eastern Guizhou , and Sichuan , Guizhou and Yunnan.
Three major dialects: western Hunan , eastern Guizhou , and Sichuan , Guizhou and Yunnan.
2
黔味善于用辣椒, 辣香是其主要的特点.
qián wèi shàn yú yòng là jiāo, , là xiāng shì qí zhǔ yào de tè.
Qian good taste with pepper, spicy incense is the main character.
Cultural Notes for 黔
🏮Cultural insight
Guizhou, represented by 黔, is famous for its rich ethnic diversity and natural beauty, such as the Huangguoshu Waterfall. This character evokes a sense of pride and identity for many who hail from this province.
