Definitions

qīng (adjective) clear; clean; pure
qīng (adjective) quiet; peaceful
qīng (verb) to clean; to clear up

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "清" is structured with the water radical (氵) on the left and the component "青" on the right, which primarily provides phonetic guidance while also suggesting a fresh, blue-green hue. Etymologically, it originally denoted the clear or pure quality of water, and from this concrete foundation, its meaning broadened to include descriptions of physical cleanliness, visual distinctness, auditory quietness, and the action of purifying. This semantic expansion enabled the character to be used in abstract contexts such as moral integrity, mental clarity, and serene conditions, with its compositional elements remaining integral throughout its historical usage.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 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)
Seal etymology image
Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
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 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

这条河的水很澈。

Zhè tiáo hé de shuǐ hěn qīngchè.

The water of this river is very clear.

晨的空气很新。

Qīngchén de kōngqì hěn qīngxīn.

The air in the early morning is very fresh.

请把桌子理干净。

Qǐng bǎ zhuōzi qīnglǐ gānjìng.

Please clean the table.

她说话声音很晰。

Tā shuōhuà shēngyīn hěn qīngxī.

Her speaking voice is very clear.

我们今天需要洁房间。

Wǒmen jīntiān xūyào qīngjié fángjiān.

We need to clean the room today.

他保持醒的头脑。

Tā bǎochí qīngxǐng de tóunǎo.

He maintains a clear mind.

这道菜的味道很淡。

Zhè dào cài de wèidào hěn qīngdàn.

This dish has a very light taste.

洗蔬菜后要沥干水分。

Qīngxǐ shūcài hòu yào lìgān shuǐfèn.

After washing the vegetables, you need to drain the water.