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March 24, 2026
千qiān(qian1)
The character 千 (qiān) means 'thousand' and is often used in contexts involving numbers, quantities, or measurements. It can also imply a large number of something, conveying the sense of many or numerous. In various contexts, it emphasizes abundance or a significant quantity.
Strokes3Radical十Frequency#1728DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'thousand' often appears in proverbs and idiomatic expressions, reflecting the idea of abundance or a significant number of opportunities. It's common to see '千' used in phrases denoting wealth or success.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant 'Q' (the sound of 'qiān') with a thousand tiny stars swirling around it, representing the vastness of a thousand. The character 千 resembles the character for 'people' (人), suggesting that a thousand people can gather together, creating a vibrant scene.
Meanings of 千
qiān(qian1)
1thousand
2a swing
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About 千
千Simplified
3Strokes
十Radical
数词shùcínumeral (num.)Part of Speech
#1728Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 千
Podcast: 千
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AI Study Notes for 千
Usage Notes
When using 千, be careful with its placement in sentences as it typically precedes the unit of measurement. For example, saying '一千' (yī qiān) is correct for 'one thousand,' but avoid saying '千一' as it would mean 'thousand one' which is incorrect. It’s used in both formal and informal contexts.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 千 connects to other numerical characters and is essential for counting and expressing quantities. Students should practice using 千 in combination with other numbers to form phrases and increase fluency in numerical expressions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 千 with other similar characters like 百 (bǎi, hundred). For instance, saying '两百' (liǎng bǎi) for 'two hundred' is correct, but mistakenly saying '两千' (liǎng qiān) when you mean 'two hundred' is incorrect. Remember, '千' specifically refers to 'thousand.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 千
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How Well Do You Know 千?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 千 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.
The character 千 (qiān) means 'thousand' and is often used in contexts involving numbers, quantities, or measurements. It can also imply a large number of something, conveying the sense of many or numerous. In various contexts, it emphasizes abundance or a significant quantity.
When to use 千
When using 千, be careful with its placement in sentences as it typically precedes the unit of measurement. For example, saying '一千' (yī qiān) is correct for 'one thousand,' but avoid saying '千一' as it would mean 'thousand one' which is incorrect. It’s used in both formal and informal contexts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 千 with other similar characters like 百 (bǎi, hundred). For instance, saying '两百' (liǎng bǎi) for 'two hundred' is correct, but mistakenly saying '两千' (liǎng qiān) when you mean 'two hundred' is incorrect. Remember, '千' specifically refers to 'thousand.'
Write 千
千
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Grammar Patterns of 千
千 functions as a number. It almost always combines with a measure word before a noun (三个人, 五本书). Standalone numbers are rare outside of math or counting. It carries 3 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.
