HSK 5, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 穴, rank #4502, Hard
穷
qióng
thoroughly
HSK 5, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 穴, rank #4502, Hard
穷
qióng
extremely
HSK 5, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 穴, rank #4502, Hard
穷
qióng
(coll.) persistently and pointlessly
HSK 5, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 穴, rank #4502, Hard
qióng(qiong2)qiong T2
1exhausted
2poor
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March 24, 2026
穷(窮)qióng(qiong2)
The character 穷 (qióng) primarily means 'poor' or 'destitute' and conveys a state of lacking financial resources. It can also refer to exhausting or using up something to the point of depletion. This term is often used in contexts related to financial struggles or when discussing limits in various situations.
Strokes7Radical穴Frequency#4502DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, discussions about wealth and poverty can be sensitive. The concept of being 穷 is often tied to social status, and many traditional stories emphasize the importance of hard work and perseverance to overcome poverty.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person with a small, empty wallet (穷). The character has the radical 穴 (cave) at the bottom, which can remind you of a cave that is empty and represents poverty. The pronunciation 'qióng' sounds like 'caution'—when you're poor, you need to be cautious with your spending.
Meanings of 穷
qióng(qiong2)
1exhausted
2poor
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About 穷
穷Simplified
窮Traditional
7Strokes
穴Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#4502Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 穷
Podcast: 穷
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AI Study Notes for 穷
Quick Contrast
贫 (pín) — use 穷 (qióng) when emphasizing a state of being poor, particularly in a financial or existential context, while 贫 (pín) is more neutral and often used in literary or formal contexts.
Usage Notes
Be careful when using 穷 to describe someone, as it can be seen as disrespectful if not used appropriately. It's commonly paired with words like '人' (rén, person) to mean 'poor person' (穷人). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words, as the tone changes its meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 穷 connects well with other vocabulary related to finance and lifestyle. Focus on understanding its various meanings and forms, including its use in phrases that express extreme states of being.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 穷 with its antonym 富 (fù, rich), leading to errors in context. For example, saying '我很穷' (wǒ hěn qióng, I am rich) is incorrect; it should be '我很富'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 穷
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The character 穷 (qióng) primarily means 'poor' or 'destitute' and conveys a state of lacking financial resources. It can also refer to exhausting or using up something to the point of depletion. This term is often used in contexts related to financial struggles or when discussing limits in various situations.
When to use 穷
Be careful when using 穷 to describe someone, as it can be seen as disrespectful if not used appropriately. It's commonly paired with words like '人' (rén, person) to mean 'poor person' (穷人). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words, as the tone changes its meaning.
穷 or something close to it
贫 (pín) — use 穷 (qióng) when emphasizing a state of being poor, particularly in a financial or existential context, while 贫 (pín) is more neutral and often used in literary or formal contexts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 穷 with its antonym 富 (fù, rich), leading to errors in context. For example, saying '我很穷' (wǒ hěn qióng, I am rich) is incorrect; it should be '我很富'.
Write 穷
穷
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Grammar Patterns of 穷
穷 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 7 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.
Synonyms for 穷 include 贫穷 (pínqióng), which also means 'poverty', and 贫困 (pínkùn), meaning 'impoverished'. These words can be used interchangeably in contexts related to lack of wealth.
Yes, 穷 is often used in idiomatic expressions in Chinese. For example, '穷人' (qióngrén) means 'poor people', and '穷追不舍' (qióngzhuībùshě) means 'to pursue relentlessly', showing how the word can convey both a state of being and intensity of action.
穷 (qióng) primarily means 'poor' or 'destitute'. It can also convey the idea of being exhausted or using up resources. In some contexts, it can mean 'thoroughly' or 'extremely', emphasizing a high degree of a condition.
You can use 穷 in sentences to describe someone's financial status or to emphasize the extent of something. For example, '我很穷' means 'I am very poor', while '穷尽所有可能' translates to 'exhaust all possibilities'.
Yes, 穷 can mean to exhaust or use something up completely, such as energy or resources.
It can be seen as disrespectful if used carelessly, so it's best to avoid using it to describe someone directly.
Common phrases include 穷人 (qióngrén, poor person) and 穷苦 (qióngkǔ, impoverished).
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