Definitions

(literary) fine jade

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

(qí) is a phono-semantic compound meaning fine jade, precious stones, or things of extraordinary rarity and value. The left component, the jade radical (a form of yù), indicates gems and ornamental stones, while the right component (qí) provides the pronunciation and contributes the sense of strangeness or uniqueness. Together, they denote a piece of jade that is unusually beautiful or rare, and the character is often used in personal names to convey preciousness and high worth.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal 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)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

今天来了。

Wáng Qí jīntiān lái le.

Wang Qi came today.

在学校读书。

Lǐ Qí zài xuéxiào dúshū.

Li Qi studies at school.

喜欢打篮球。

Zhāng Qí xǐhuan dǎ lánqiú.

Zhang Qi likes playing basketball.

是我的同学。

Zhào Qí shì wǒ de tóngxué.

Zhao Qi is my classmate.

这块玉石非常丽。

Zhè kuài yùshí fēicháng qílì.

This piece of jade is very beautiful and rare.

他的才华玮出众。

Tā de cáihuá qíwěi chūzhòng.

His talent is rare and outstanding.

博物馆收藏了许多宝。

Bówùguǎn shōucáng le xǔduō qíbǎo.

The museum has collected many rare treasures.

在历史上,玉常被用作礼器。

Zài lìshǐ shàng, qíyù cháng bèi yòng zuò lǐqì.

In history, rare jade was often used as ritual vessels.