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气色 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
气色qìsècomplexionHSK 7, n, 10 strokes, rank #5573, Very Hard
qìsè(qi4se4)qi se T4
  1. 1complexion
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March 24, 2026

气色(氣色)qìsè(qi4se4)

气色 refers to the natural color and appearance of a person's complexion, often indicating their overall health and emotional state. In everyday conversation, it is commonly used to express concern or admiration about someone's physical appearance, especially in relation to their vitality or mood.

Strokes10Frequency#5573DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, a person's 气色 is often closely observed and is thought to reflect not only physical health but also emotional stability and inner peace. It is common for people to ask about each other's 气色 as a form of social engagement.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person with a vibrant, glowing complexion as bright as a 'qi' (energy) flowing through them. The character '气' (qi) represents energy, while '色' (se) refers to color or appearance, reminding you that气色 is about the energy and health reflected in one's face.

Meanings of 气色

qìsè(qi4se4)
1complexion
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 气色

气色Simplified
氣色Traditional
10Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#5573Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 气色

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Podcast: 气色

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AI Study Notes for 气色

Quick Contrast

气色 (complexion) vs 脸色 (facial color) — use 气色 when referring to overall health and vitality, while 脸色 focuses more on the immediate appearance of the face.

Usage Notes

气色 is typically used in informal settings, often in conversations about health or well-being. Be careful with the tone; saying someone has poor 气色 can be perceived as rude. Common collocations include '气色好' (good complexion) and '气色差' (poor complexion).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 气色 connects well with vocabulary related to health and emotions, such as 健康 (jiànkāng, health) and 情绪 (qíngxù, emotions). Students should focus on using it in descriptive contexts, particularly when discussing physical or emotional well-being.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 气色 with 颜色 (yánsè, color), using it incorrectly in contexts about general colors. For example, saying '这个气色很漂亮' (zhège qìsè hěn piàoliang) implies one is talking about a color rather than a complexion; the correct context should focus on a person's appearance or health.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 气色

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Component Characters

气qìgas
HSK 44 strokes气
View full entry
色sècolor
HSK 46 strokes色
View full entry

How to say complexion in Chinese

“complexion” in Chinese is气色qìsè

气色 refers to the natural color and appearance of a person's complexion, often indicating their overall health and emotional state. In everyday conversation, it is commonly used to express concern or admiration about someone's physical appearance, especially in relation to their vitality or mood.

When to use 气色

气色 is typically used in informal settings, often in conversations about health or well-being. Be careful with the tone; saying someone has poor 气色 can be perceived as rude. Common collocations include '气色好' (good complexion) and '气色差' (poor complexion).

气色 or something close to it

气色 (complexion) vs 脸色 (facial color) — use 气色 when referring to overall health and vitality, while 脸色 focuses more on the immediate appearance of the face.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 气色 with 颜色 (yánsè, color), using it incorrectly in contexts about general colors. For example, saying '这个气色很漂亮' (zhège qìsè hěn piàoliang) implies one is talking about a color rather than a complexion; the correct context should focus on a person's appearance or health.

Write 气色

气
色

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

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Grammar Patterns of 气色

气色 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 5

Fill the gap

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

你看上去____好极了,布赖恩。巴哈马显然很适合你。

You look great, Brian. The Bahamas certainly agree with you.

Example Sentences for 气色 (5)

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1
你看上去气色好极了,布赖恩。巴哈马显然很适合你。

nǐ kàn shàng qù qì sè hǎo jí le, , bù lài。 ēn 。 bā hā mǎ xiǎn rán hěn shì。

You look great, Brian. The Bahamas certainly agree with you.
2
他的好气色令他看上去比实际年龄年轻。

tā de hǎo qì sè líng tā kàn shàng qù bǐ shí jì nián líng nián qīng。

His fresh complexion made him look younger than he was.
3
“托马斯,你看起来气色不太好,”他脱口而出。

“ “ tuō mǎ, sī , nǐ kàn qǐ lái qì sè bù,” tài hǎo ,” tā tuō。

"You're not looking too well, Thomas," he said presently.
4
她54岁了,精力和气色都非常好。

tā54 54 suì, le , jīng lì hé qì sè dū fēi。

At 54 years old her energy and looks are magnificent.
5
“ 嘿, " 他打量着推销员说, " 气色和往常一样好, 是吧?

“ “," hēi , " tā dǎ liáng zháo tuī xiāo," yuán shuō , " qì sè hé wǎng cháng, yī yàng?

" Well, " he said , looking the drummer over, " rosy as ever, eh? "

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Frequently Asked Questions about 气色

You can say, '你的气色很好' (nǐ de qìsè hěn hǎo) meaning 'Your complexion looks good.'

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