卿

qīng

⑤ + 卩 + 𠂎

Definitions

qīng (noun) high ranking official (ancient)

qīng (noun) term of endearment between spouses (classical); honorific term of address

Etymology

About

The character 卿 originally depicted two figures facing each other across a central food vessel, symbolizing a ceremonial feast shared by state dignitaries. It served as a title for high-ranking officials in imperial bureaucracies, and emperors employed it as a formal yet affectionate term of address for their most trusted ministers and nobles. Over time, this usage expanded beyond the court, becoming an intimate term of endearment between spouses, lovers, or close friends.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

国务卿出席了会议。

Guówùqīng chūxí le huìyì.

The Secretary of State attended the meeting.

他是著名的国务卿。

Tā shì zhùmíng de guówùqīng.

He is a famous Secretary of State.

新任国务卿来自纽约。

Xīnrèn guówùqīng láizì Niǔyuē.

The new Secretary of State is from New York.

卿在古时指高级官员。

Qīng zài gǔshí zhǐ gāojí guānyuán.

In ancient times, "qing" referred to high-ranking officials.

她温柔地称他为卿。

Tā wēnróu de chēng tā wéi qīng.

She gently calls him "qing."

国王对卿说：“谢谢你的忠诚。”

Guówáng duì qīng shuō: “Xièxiè nǐ de zhōngchéng.”

The king said to the minister, "Thank you for your loyalty."

这位国务卿推动了和平谈判。

Zhè wèi guówùqīng tuīdòng le hépíng tánpàn.

This Secretary of State promoted peace talks.

在历史剧中，演员扮演的卿角色很出色。

Zài lìshǐjù zhōng, yǎnyuán bànyǎn de qīng juésè hěn chūsè.

In the historical drama, the actor played the role of a minister excellently.

Related Characters

Component: ⑤

Component: 卩

Component: 𠂎

Example Words