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漆 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
漆qīpaintHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #6281, Hard
漆qīlacquerHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #6281, Hard
漆qīto paint (furniture, walls etc)HSK 7, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #6281, Hard
漆qīvarnish, lacquer; paintHSK 7, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #6281, Hard
qī(qi1) T1
  1. 1paint
  2. 2lacquer
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
漆qī(qi1)

漆 (qī) refers to a type of paint or lacquer, often used for coating surfaces like furniture and walls. It can also refer to the act of applying such substances. This term is commonly used in contexts related to art, interior design, and craftsmanship.

Strokes14Radical氵Frequency#6281DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

Lacquerware is a traditional Chinese craft with a history of thousands of years, often associated with intricate designs and cultural heritage. The use of lacquer in Chinese furniture reflects a blend of functionality and artistry.

Memory Tip

Imagine a painter named Qi who is famous for using a special shiny lacquer. The character 漆 looks like a container (the top part) holding the liquid paint (the bottom part). Visualize Qi pouring this vibrant color onto a wooden surface to create beautiful furniture.

Meanings of 漆

qī(qi1)
1paint
2lacquer
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 漆

漆Simplified
14Strokes
氵Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#6281Frequency Rank
道Measure Word
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 漆

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Podcast: 漆

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AI Study Notes for 漆

Quick Contrast

漆 (qī) vs 涂料 (túliào) — use 漆 when specifically referring to lacquer or paint, while 涂料 is a more general term for any coating material.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a painter named Qi who is famous for using a special shiny lacquer. The character 漆 looks like a container (the top part) holding the liquid paint (the bottom part). Visualize Qi pouring this vibrant color onto a wooden surface to create beautiful furniture.

Usage Notes

Be cautious of the tone; 漆 is pronounced with a high level tone (qī), which differs from similar-sounding words. It is often used in combination with other characters to form phrases related to painting and finishing, such as 漆器 (qīqì - lacquerware).

HSK Study Tips

Though 漆 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it relates to themes of art and craftsmanship found in HSK Level 3 and above. Students should focus on its usage in contexts involving painting and decoration.

Cultural Note

Lacquerware is a traditional Chinese craft with a history of thousands of years, often associated with intricate designs and cultural heritage. The use of lacquer in Chinese furniture reflects a blend of functionality and artistry.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 漆 with other characters like 汽 (qì - steam) due to similar pronunciation. Always remember that 漆 relates to paint and lacquer, while 汽 pertains to gas or steam.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 漆

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Etymology of 漆

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

The sap 氵 of the varnish tree 桼; 桼 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 漆?

Decomposition of 漆

IDS Structure⿰氵桼
漆Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
桼qi1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 漆?

Write 漆

漆

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

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Grammar Patterns of 漆

漆 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 4 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 lessons1
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

灯熄了，屋里陷入一片____黑。

The light went out, and the room was plunged into darkness.

Example Sentences for 漆 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
灯熄了，屋里陷入一片漆黑。

dēng xī le， ， wū lǐ xiàn rù yī piàn qī。

The light went out, and the room was plunged into darkness.
2
前门需要刷一层新漆了。

qián mén xū yào shuā yī céng xīn qī le。

The front door needs a new coat of paint.
3
就在那时，博物馆陷入了一片漆黑。

jiù zài nà shí， ， bó wù guǎn xiàn rù le yī piàn qī。

At that instant the museum was plunged into total darkness.
4
只有上等好漆才能用作罩面漆。

zhī yǒu shàng děng hǎo qī cái néng yòng zuò zhào miàn qī。

Only the finest lacquers are used for finishes.
5
墙上被人用喷漆涂得乱七八糟。

qiáng shàng bèi rén yòng pēn qī tú dé luàn qī bā zāo。

The walls have been horribly vandalized with spray paint.
6
我的房间只要刷一点油漆就能焕然一新。

wǒ de fáng jiān zhī yào shuā yī diǎn yóu qī jiù néng huàn rán yī xīn。

My room needed a lick of paint to freshen it up.
7
在纸板上涂两三层清漆使其变硬。

zài zhǐ bǎn shàng tú liǎng sān céng qīng qī shǐ qí biàn yìng。

Give the cardboard two or three coats of varnish to harden it.
8
房间里一片漆黑，我什么也看不见。

fáng jiān lǐ yī piàn qī hēi， ， wǒ shí mó yě kàn bù。

It was pitch-dark in the room and I couldn't see a thing.
9
生锈和掉漆说明金属配件损毁严重。

shēng xiù hé diào qī shuō míng jīn shǔ pèi jiàn sǔn huǐ yán zhòng。

Rust and flaking paint mean the metalwork is in poor condition.
10
他利用半透明瓷漆绘制出鲜艳生动的图画。

tā lì yòng bàn tòu míng cí qī huì zhì chū xiān yàn shēng dòng de tú huà。

He relied on translucent enamels to produce vivid, glowing pictures.

Cultural Notes for 漆

🏮Cultural insight

Lacquerware is a traditional Chinese craft with a history of thousands of years, often associated with intricate designs and cultural heritage. The use of lacquer in Chinese furniture reflects a blend of functionality and artistry.

Word Family of 漆

Words Containing This Character15
漆qīpaint
油漆yóuqīoil paints
漆黑pitch-black
喷漆lacquer噴漆
漆器lacquerware
生漆raw lacquer
如胶似漆joined at the hip如膠似漆
漆树lac tree (Rhus vernicifera)漆樹
底漆primer
漆黑一团pitch-black漆黑一團
一团漆黑pitch-black一團漆黑
雕漆carved lacquerware
漆雕carved or engraved lacquerware
漆布linoleum
乌漆墨黑jet-black烏漆墨黑
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 漆 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 漆

漆 is commonly used in painting furniture, walls, and creating lacquerware. It is also used in artistic applications.