Definitions

qiào (adjective) good-looking; charming
qiào (verb) to season (food)
qiào (adjective) in great demand

Etymology

A similar  person  also provides the pronunciation

About

The character 俏, which remains consistent in both traditional and modern usage without a separate simplified form, is constructed from the semantic component 人 (亻), indicating a person, and the phonetic component 肖, which itself carries the meaning of resemblance or likeness. This combination originally leaned on the sense of "resemblance" or "bearing", referring to a person's manner or appearance. Over time, its meaning narrowed and specialized to describe a specifically delicate, handsome, or pretty appearance, often with a connotation of stylishness. Further semantic development extended the term beyond mere physical beauty to encompass a lively, smart, or clever demeanor, as seen in compounds like 俏皮, which denotes playfulness or witty charm. Thus, its core semantic trajectory moved from general likeness to attractive appearance, and subsequently to an associated sharpness of spirit or manner.

Example Sentences Hide

那个女孩长得很

Nà gè nǚ hái zhǎng de hěn qiào.

That girl is very pretty.

这件衣服的颜色很

Zhè jiàn yīfu de yánsè hěn qiào.

The color of this piece of clothing is very bright and stylish.

她说话总是那么皮。

Tā shuōhuà zǒng shì nàme qiàopí.

She always speaks in such a witty and playful way.

这款手机设计得十分丽。

Zhè kuǎn shǒujī shèjì dé shífēn qiàolì.

This model of mobile phone is designed very elegantly.

夕阳映衬下,山影显得格外俊

Xīyáng yìngchèn xià, shān yǐng xiǎnde géwài jùnqiào.

Set against the setting sun, the mountain's silhouette appears particularly handsome and graceful.

他不光模样,为人也特别实在。

Tā bùguāng múyàng qiào, wéirén yě tèbié shízai.

He is not only handsome in appearance but also very down-to-earth.

春天来了,柳枝吐出新芽,一派生生的景象。

Chūntiān lái le, liǔzhī tǔ chū xīn yá, yī pài qiào shēng shēng de jǐngxiàng.

Spring has arrived; willow branches sprout new buds, presenting a scene full of fresh and delicate life.

经过一番精心打扮,她竟有几分职场佳人的风范了。

Jīngguò yī fān jīngxīn dǎban, tā jìng yǒu jǐ fēn zhíchǎng qiào jiārén de fēngfàn le.

After some careful grooming, she actually had the demeanor of a stylish career woman.