Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
亲戚 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
亲戚
qīnqi
a relative (i.e. family relation)
HSK 4, n, 20 strokes, rank #4115, Medium
qīnqi(qin1qi5)qin qi T1
1a relative (i.e. family relation)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
亲戚(親戚)qīnqi(qin1qi5)
亲戚 (qīnqi) refers to relatives or family members, encompassing a wide range of relationships including cousins, uncles, and aunts. This term is commonly used in contexts involving family gatherings, discussions about ancestry, or when referring to one's extended family.
Strokes20Frequency#4115DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, family is often considered the cornerstone of society, and 亲戚 relationships extend beyond immediate family to a large network of relatives who may be involved in personal and social affairs.
Memory tip
Think of 亲 (qīn) as 'close' and 戚 (qi) as 'kin'; together they create the image of close family ties. Picture a family tree where every branch connects to those you hold dear, emphasizing the closeness of your relatives.
Meanings of 亲戚
qīnqi(qin1qi5)
1a relative (i.e. family relation)
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 亲戚 means.
About 亲戚
亲戚Simplified
親戚Traditional
20Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4115Frequency Rank
门Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 亲戚
Podcast: 亲戚
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 亲戚
Quick Contrast
表亲 (biǎoqīn) — use 亲戚 for a broader range of family relationships beyond just cousins.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 亲戚 with 朋友 (péngyǒu, friend) in contexts where family is being discussed. The term is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings. Common collocations include 亲戚关系 (qīnqi guānxì, family relations) and 亲戚们 (qīnqi men, relatives).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 亲戚 is connected to family vocabulary and social relationships. Students should focus on using it in sentences that describe family structures or gatherings, integrating it with other family-related terms to build context.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 亲戚 with 亲密 (qīnmì, intimate) due to the similar root. For example, saying '我有很多亲密' (I have many intimates) instead of '我有很多亲戚' (I have many relatives) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 亲戚
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 亲戚, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 亲戚 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 亲戚?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 亲戚 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.
How to say a relative (i.e. family relation) in Chinese
“a relative (i.e. family relation)” in Chinese is亲戚qīnqi
亲戚 (qīnqi) refers to relatives or family members, encompassing a wide range of relationships including cousins, uncles, and aunts. This term is commonly used in contexts involving family gatherings, discussions about ancestry, or when referring to one's extended family.
When to use 亲戚
Be careful not to confuse 亲戚 with 朋友 (péngyǒu, friend) in contexts where family is being discussed. The term is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings. Common collocations include 亲戚关系 (qīnqi guānxì, family relations) and 亲戚们 (qīnqi men, relatives).
亲戚 or something close to it
表亲 (biǎoqīn) — use 亲戚 for a broader range of family relationships beyond just cousins.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 亲戚 with 亲密 (qīnmì, intimate) due to the similar root. For example, saying '我有很多亲密' (I have many intimates) instead of '我有很多亲戚' (I have many relatives) is incorrect.
Write 亲戚
亲
戚
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 亲戚 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 亲戚
亲戚 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). 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.
他有个____住在这条马路上。
He had a relation who lived up the road.
Example sentences for 亲戚 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他有个亲戚住在这条马路上。
tā yǒu gè qīnqi zhùzài zhè tiáo mǎlù shàng。
He had a relation who lived up the road.
2
他们以为他们的亲戚们会把签证办好。
tāmen yǐwéi tāmen de qīnqi men huì bǎ qiānzhèng bàn hǎo。
They thought that their relatives would be able to fix the visas.
3
我们全家和所有的亲戚都来参加祖父的八十岁寿宴.
wǒmen quánjiā hé suǒyǒu de qīnqi dōu lái cānjiā zǔfù de bā shí suì shòu yàn.
All our family came to our grandfather's eightieth birthday party.
4
路易丝本人在尼姆有亲戚。
lù yì sī běnrén zài ní mǔ yǒu qīnqi。
Louise herself had family ties in Nimes.
5
她和Molinas一家人准备与亲戚一起过感恩节.
tā héMolinas yījiārén zhǔnbèi yǔ qīnqi yìqǐ guò gǎnēn jié.
She and the Molinas are going to spend Thanksgiving with their cousins.
