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旗袍 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
旗袍qípáoChinese-style dressHSK 7, n, 24 strokes, rank #56806, Very Hard
旗袍qípáocheongsamHSK 7, n, 24 strokes, rank #56806, Very Hard
qípáo(qi2pao2)qi pao T2
  1. 1Chinese-style dress
  2. 2cheongsam
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March 24, 2026

旗袍qípáo(qi2pao2)

旗袍 (qípáo) refers to a traditional Chinese dress characterized by its high collar, fitted silhouette, and often intricate embroidery or patterns. Commonly worn by women, it embodies elegance and is frequently associated with cultural events, weddings, and formal occasions, showcasing both beauty and cultural heritage.

Strokes24Frequency#56806DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The 旗袍 is not just a garment but a symbol of Chinese femininity and grace, often showcased during festivals and celebrations, reflecting the country's rich textile history and craftsmanship.

Memory tip

Imagine a flag (旗) waving proudly while a woman in a beautiful dress (袍) stands beside it, symbolizing the proud heritage of Chinese fashion. The 'qi' in 旗 sounds like 'key', which you need to unlock the elegance of this traditional garment.

Meanings of 旗袍

qípáo(qi2pao2)
1Chinese-style dress
2cheongsam
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About 旗袍

旗袍Simplified
24Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#56806Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 旗袍

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AI study notes for 旗袍

Usage Notes

While 旗袍 is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, learners should be aware that in casual settings, it might be viewed as overly formal. A common mistake is to confuse it with other types of dresses like 连衣裙 (liányīqún), which is a more general term for a dress. Additionally, using the term inappropriately to describe Western-style dresses can lead to confusion.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 旗袍 connects with other cultural and fashion-related vocabulary. Students should focus on the cultural significance of clothing terms and practice using them in context, perhaps by discussing traditional clothing styles or occasions for wearing a 旗袍.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 旗袍 to refer to any dress, while it specifically denotes the traditional Chinese style. For example, saying '我穿了旗袍去上班' (I wore a cheongsam to work) might be inappropriate unless the work environment is formal.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 旗袍

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Component characters

旗qíflag
14 strokes方
View full entry
袍páogown (lined)
10 strokes衤
View full entry

How to say Chinese-style dress in Chinese

“Chinese-style dress” in Chinese is旗袍qípáo

旗袍 (qípáo) refers to a traditional Chinese dress characterized by its high collar, fitted silhouette, and often intricate embroidery or patterns. Commonly worn by women, it embodies elegance and is frequently associated with cultural events, weddings, and formal occasions, showcasing both beauty and cultural heritage.

When to use 旗袍

While 旗袍 is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, learners should be aware that in casual settings, it might be viewed as overly formal. A common mistake is to confuse it with other types of dresses like 连衣裙 (liányīqún), which is a more general term for a dress. Additionally, using the term inappropriately to describe Western-style dresses can lead to confusion.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 旗袍 to refer to any dress, while it specifically denotes the traditional Chinese style. For example, saying '我穿了旗袍去上班' (I wore a cheongsam to work) might be inappropriate unless the work environment is formal.

Write 旗袍

旗
袍

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Frequently asked questions about 旗袍

旗袍 is typically worn during formal events, weddings, and cultural festivals, making it a popular choice for celebrations.

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