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青 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
青qīnggreen or blueHSK 5, ns, 8 strokes, radical 青, rank #3715, Hard
青qīngnature's colorHSK 5, ns, 8 strokes, radical 青, rank #3715, Hard
青qīnggreenish blackHSK 5, ns, 8 strokes, radical 青, rank #3715, Hard
青qīngyouthHSK 5, ns, 8 strokes, radical 青, rank #3715, Hard
青qīngyoung (of people)HSK 5, ns, 8 strokes, radical 青, rank #3715, Hard
青qīngnature's color; blue, green, black; youngHSK 5, ns, 8 strokes, radical 青, rank #3715, Hard
青qīngabbr. for 青海[Qīng hǎi], Qinghai ProvinceHSK 5, ns, 8 strokes, radical 青, rank #3715, Hard
青qīngabbr. for 青海[Qing1 hai3], Qinghai ProvinceHSK 5, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 青, rank #3715, Hard
qīng(qing1)qing T1
  1. 1green or blue
  2. 2nature's color
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March 24, 2026

青qīng(qing1)

The character 青 (qīng) primarily denotes colors such as blue and green, and can also refer to youth or young people. It's commonly used in contexts related to nature, as well as in expressions that evoke freshness and vitality. This character captures the essence of youthfulness and the vibrant colors of nature.

Strokes8Radical青Frequency#3715DifficultyHard
Cultural note

青 is often associated with Chinese concepts of nature and harmony, reflecting the importance of the natural world in Chinese culture. It appears in phrases like 青山绿水, which emphasizes the beauty of green mountains and clear waters.

Memory tip

Imagine a fresh green field under a clear blue sky, symbolizing both youth and nature. The character 青 resembles a plant growing upwards, representing vitality and growth, while the 'q' sound in qīng can remind you of a quick breeze passing through a young forest.

Meanings of 青

qīng(qing1)
1green or blue
2nature's color
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 青 means.

About 青

青Simplified
8Strokes
青Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3715Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 青

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Podcast: 青

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AI study notes for 青

Quick Contrast

青 (qīng) vs 蓝 (lán) — use 青 for a broader range of blue-green hues and youthfulness, while 蓝 specifically refers to blue.

Usage Notes

青 can sometimes be confused with the characters for other colors. In informal contexts, it can represent youth, but in formal settings, it may be more appropriate to use 年轻 (niánqīng) for 'young'. Be mindful of tone, as using the wrong tone can change its meaning.

HSK Study Tips

As a level 5 HSK word, 青 connects well with other color-related vocabulary and words describing age. Students should focus on its usage in different contexts and practice its various meanings to enhance comprehension.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 青 with other color characters like 绿 (lǜ, green) or 蓝 (lán, blue). For example, saying 青色 (qīngsè) when referring specifically to 'green' can be misleading; instead, use 绿色 (lǜsè).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 青

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Etymology of 青

Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 生 represents the meaning and 井 represents the sound.

Learn more about character formation (六书)
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 青?

Decomposition of 青

IDS Structure⿱龶月
青Full character
=
龶xx5
top
月yue4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 青?

How to say green or blue in Chinese

“green or blue” in Chinese is青qīng

The character 青 (qīng) primarily denotes colors such as blue and green, and can also refer to youth or young people. It's commonly used in contexts related to nature, as well as in expressions that evoke freshness and vitality. This character captures the essence of youthfulness and the vibrant colors of nature.

When to use 青

青 can sometimes be confused with the characters for other colors. In informal contexts, it can represent youth, but in formal settings, it may be more appropriate to use 年轻 (niánqīng) for 'young'. Be mindful of tone, as using the wrong tone can change its meaning.

青 or something close to it

青 (qīng) vs 蓝 (lán) — use 青 for a broader range of blue-green hues and youthfulness, while 蓝 specifically refers to blue.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 青 with other color characters like 绿 (lǜ, green) or 蓝 (lán, blue). For example, saying 青色 (qīngsè) when referring specifically to 'green' can be misleading; instead, use 绿色 (lǜsè).

Write 青

青

Practice writing 青 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 青

青 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). It carries 8 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.

Related grammar lessons3
Exercise 1 of 3

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

一般来说，跟____年人相比，老年人的经验更丰富。

Generally speaking, compared to young people, older people have richer experience.

Common confusions with 青

青vs清
qīng

Similar pronunciation and structure, but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Which one

Which one means “green or blue”?

or

Example sentences for 青 (20)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
nsgreen or blue10
1
在阳光的照射下，湖水显得格外清澈透亮，呈现出一种深邃的青色。

Zài yángguāng de zhàoshè xià, húshuǐ xiǎnde géwài qīngchè tòuliàng, chéngxiàn chū yī zhǒng shēnsuì de qīngsè.

Under the sunlight, the lake water appeared exceptionally clear and bright, showing a deep blue color.
2
她的眼睛像湖水一样，带着一种深邃的青色。

Tā de yǎnjīng xiàng húshuǐ yīyàng, dàizhe yī zhǒng shēnsuì de qīngsè.

Her eyes are like the lake, with a deep blue hue.
3
在这幅画中，艺术家用青色表现了天空的宁静。

Zài zhè fú huà zhōng, yìshùjiā yòng qīngsè biǎoxiànle tiānkōng de níngjìng.

In this painting, the artist used the color blue to depict the tranquility of the sky.
4
春天到了，田野里到处都是青嫩的小草。

Chūntiān dàole, tiányě lǐ dàochù dōu shì qīng nèn de xiǎo cǎo.

Spring has arrived, and the fields are filled with tender green grass.
5
阳光下，海水泛着青蓝的光泽。

Yángguāng xià, hǎishuǐ fànzhe qīnglán de guāngzé.

Under the sunlight, the sea sparkles with a bluish-green sheen.
6
在阳光的照射下，湖水显得格外清澈透亮，呈现出一种深邃的青色。

Zài yángguāng de zhàoshè xià, húshuǐ xiǎnde géwài qīngchè tòuliàng, chéngxiàn chū yī zhǒng shēnsuì de qīngsè.

Under the sunlight, the lake water appeared exceptionally clear and bright, showing a deep blue color.
7
她的眼睛像湖水一样，带着一种深邃的青色。

Tā de yǎnjīng xiàng húshuǐ yīyàng, dàizhe yī zhǒng shēnsuì de qīngsè.

Her eyes are like the lake, with a deep blue hue.
8
在这幅画中，艺术家用青色表现了天空的宁静。

Zài zhè fú huà zhōng, yìshùjiā yòng qīngsè biǎoxiànle tiānkōng de níngjìng.

In this painting, the artist used the color blue to depict the tranquility of the sky.
9
春天到了，田野里到处都是青嫩的小草。

Chūntiān dàole, tiányě lǐ dàochù dōu shì qīng nèn de xiǎo cǎo.

Spring has arrived, and the fields are filled with tender green grass.
10
阳光下，海水泛着青蓝的光泽。

Yángguāng xià, hǎishuǐ fànzhe qīnglán de guāngzé.

Under the sunlight, the sea sparkles with a bluish-green sheen.
nsabbr. for 青海[Qīng hǎi], Qinghai Province10
11
我让马低下头啃吃春天的青草。

wǒ ràng mǎ dīxià tóu kěn chī chūntiān de qīng cǎo。

I let the horse drop his head to crop the spring grass.
12
壁炉台上是一对明代的青铜花瓶。

bì lú táishàng shì yī duì míng dài de qīng tóng huāpíng。

On the mantelpiece are a pair of bronze Ming vases.
13
从许多方面来说，表演无疑是吃青春饭的行当。

cóng xǔduō fāngmiàn lái shuō， biǎoyǎn wúyí shì chī qīngchūn fàn de hángdang。

Acting is definitely a young person's profession in many ways.
14
他们的休闲服系列瞄准的是追求时髦的13到25岁青少年。

tāmen de xiūxián fú xìliè miáozhǔn de shì zhuīqiú shímáo de13 dào25 suì qīngshàonián。

Their range of leisurewear is aimed at fashion-conscious 13 to 25 year-olds.
15
这些花的花蕾是青铜色，开放后呈明黄色。

zhèxiē huā de huālěi shì qīng tóng sè， kāifàng hòu chéng míng huángsè。

The flowers are bronzy in bud and bright yellow when open.
16
这足以让他们的事业平步青云了。

zhè zúyǐ ràng tāmen de shìyè píng bù qīng yún le。

This was enough to launch their careers into the stratosphere.
17
这片潮湿地区也吸引了青蛙、蟾蜍和蝾螈一类的生物。

zhè piàn cháoshī dìqū yě xīyǐn le qīngwā、 chán chú hé róng yuán yī lèi de shēngwù。

This wet area also attracts frogs, toads and newts.
18
一名男青年从陡峭的岩壁上坠崖身亡。

yī míng nán qīngnián cóng dǒuqiào de yán bì shàng zhuì yá shēn wáng。

A young man plunged from a sheer rock face to his death.
19
警方逮捕了与其中一次袭击有关的5名青年男子。

jǐng fāng dàibǔ le yǔqí zhōng yī cì xíjī yǒuguān de5 míng qīngnián nánzǐ。

Police arrested five young men in connection with one of the attacks.
20
他朝他的兄弟吼叫，脖子上青筋暴突。

tā cháo tā de xiōngdì hǒu jiào， bózi shàng qīng jīn bào tū。

He shouted at his brother, his neck veins bulging.

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Word Family of 青

Compounds18
情qíngfeeling
请qǐngto ask
清qīngQing or Ch'ing dynasty of Imperial China (1644-1911)
精jīngessence
猜cāito guess
睛jīngeye
晴qíngclear
氰qíngcyanogen; ethane dinitrile
倩qiànbeautiful, lovely; son-in-law
鲭qīngmackerel
菁jīngturnip; a flower of the leek family
箐qìngto draw a bamboo bow
腈jīngacrylic
圊qīngrestroom
婧jìngmodest; supple
锖qiāngthe color of a mineral
鼱jīngshrew
鯖qīngmackerel
Words containing this character20
青年qīngniányouth
青qīngyouth
青少年qīngshàoniánadolescent
青春qīngchūnyouth
青蛙qīngwāfrog
青岛qīngdǎoQingdao, subprovincial city in Shandong青島
青春期qīngchūnqīpuberty
青睐qīnglàifavor青睞
年青niánqīngyouthful
沥青lìqīngasphalt瀝青
青山qīngshānQingshan district of Wuhan city 武漢市|武汉市[Wǔ​hàn​shì], Hubei
青海qīnghǎiQinghai province (Tsinghai) in west China, abbr. 青, capital Xining 西寧|西宁
青霉素qīngméisùpenicillin
青菜qīngcàigreen vegetables
青藏qīngzàngQinghai and Tibet
青年人qīngniánrényoung person
青铜qīngtóngbronze (alloy of copper 銅|铜 and tin 錫|锡[xī])青銅
青梅竹马qīngméizhúmǎchildhood sweethearts青梅竹馬
青光眼qīngguāngyǎnglaucoma
共青团gòngqīngtuánthe Communist Youth League, abbr. for 共產主義青年團|共产主义青年团[Gòng​chǎn​zhǔ​yì​Qīng​nián​tuán]共青團
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 青

What does 情 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 青

青 (qīng) and 绿 (lǜ) both relate to colors, but 青 can refer to both blue and green, while 绿 specifically means 'green.' In certain contexts, 青 may also imply a deeper or darker shade, whereas 绿 is more straightforwardly associated with the color of grass and leaves.

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