Definitions

qiū (noun) autumn; fall
qiū (noun) harvest time

Etymology

Originally a pictograph of a cricket, since cricket chirps indicate the beginning of autumn. Later the character was reanalyzed as (grain) + (fire).

About

The character represents autumn. Its earliest form was a pictograph of a cricket, since the insect's chirping marks the beginning of the season. Later, the character was reanalyzed as a compound of (grain) and (fire), evoking the autumn tasks of harvesting crops and burning leftover stalks to clear the fields. This agricultural imagery also carries metaphorical weight, suggesting decline, maturity, or a pivotal transition, reflecting the fading of life before winter.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 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 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 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

我喜欢天。

Wǒ xǐhuān qiūtiān.

I like autumn.

天天气凉爽。

Qiūtiān tiānqì liángshuǎng.

The weather in autumn is cool.

季是收获的季节。

Qiūjì shì shōuhuò de jìjié.

Autumn is the season of harvest.

雨过后空气清新。

Qiūyǔ guòhòu kōngqì qīngxīn.

After the autumn rain, the air is fresh.

孩子们在公园里荡千。

Háizimen zài gōngyuán lǐ dàng qiūqiān.

The children are swinging in the park.

我们计划在天去旅行。

Wǒmen jìhuà zài qiūtiān qù lǚxíng.

We plan to travel in autumn.

天的枫叶变成了红色。

Qiūtiān de fēngyè biàn chéngle hóngsè.

The maple leaves turn red in autumn.

农民在季忙着收割庄稼。

Nóngmín zài qiūjì máng zhe shōugē zhuāngjia.

Farmers are busy harvesting crops in autumn.