Meanings of 欠
By ear
Play it, then pick what 欠 means.
About 欠
Podcast: 欠
Podcast: 欠
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 欠
欠 (qiàn) vs 缺 (quē) — use 欠 for debts or obligations, while 缺 refers to a lack of physical things or qualities.
Be cautious with the tone; it's pronounced with a falling tone (qiàn). Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding characters. In informal contexts, it can be used to express a casual lack, while in formal settings, it may refer to more serious debts.
As an HSK 5 word, 欠 connects with other financial vocabulary like 借 (jiè, to borrow) and 还 (huán, to return). Focus on its different meanings and practice using it in sentences related to finances and daily life.
Learners often confuse 欠 with other characters that have similar pronunciations, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying 欠钱 (qiàn qián) when you mean to say 借钱 (jiè qián, to borrow money) can lead to misunderstandings.
Pronunciation of 欠
Drill the tone of 欠, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 欠 to you
Let me explain 欠 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 欠 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 欠?
Learning Lab
Knowing 欠 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
Etymology of 欠
Pictograph of a person opening their mouth to yawn.
A man 人 yawning ⺈
Origin
What kind of character is 欠?
Decomposition of 欠
Parts
Which of these is part of 欠?
How to say deficient in Chinese
“deficient” in Chinese is欠
The character 欠 (qiàn) primarily means 'to owe' or 'to lack'. It can refer to owing money or a debt, as well as lacking something essential. Additionally, it can denote the act of yawning, which metaphorically relates to a deficiency in energy or oxygen.
When to use 欠
Be cautious with the tone; it's pronounced with a falling tone (qiàn). Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding characters. In informal contexts, it can be used to express a casual lack, while in formal settings, it may refer to more serious debts.
欠 or something close to it
欠 (qiàn) vs 缺 (quē) — use 欠 for debts or obligations, while 缺 refers to a lack of physical things or qualities.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 欠 with other characters that have similar pronunciations, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying 欠钱 (qiàn qián) when you mean to say 借钱 (jiè qián, to borrow money) can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 欠
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 欠 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 欠
欠 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我破产了，莉薇，而且我____了几百万美元的债。
I'm broke, Livy, and I owe a couple of million dollars.
Common confusions with 欠
Similar in shape but different in pronunciation and meaning.
Similar pronunciation and structure, but different meanings.
欠 refers to owing or lacking something, while 缺 specifically means lacking or missing something.
缺少资金 (lacking funds)
欠 refers to owing or lacking something, while 缺 specifically means lacking or missing something.
Which one
Which one means “deficient”?
Example sentences for 欠 (10)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 欠?
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 200 AI credits.
Word Family of 欠
Characters with 欠
What does 次 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 欠
Common phrases that include 欠 (qiàn) are '欠债' (qiànzhài), meaning 'to owe a debt,' and '欠缺' (qiànquē), which means 'to be lacking in.' These phrases are useful in conversations about finances or personal needs.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 欠?
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.