Definitions

qiè (verb) to steal; to take secretly
qiè (pronoun) (humble) I

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "to steal rice". The meaning of this character has shifted over time and now means "secretly". Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 窃, with its more complex traditional form 竊, is a phono-semantic compound. Its top component is the radical 穴, meaning cave or hole, which semantically relates to concealment. In the simplified version, the bottom component 切 serves as the phonetic element. The traditional form’s lower part depicted an insect or rodent, evoking the stealthy movement of creatures stealing from hidden places. The core meaning is theft or unlawful taking, conceptually linked to the covert nature implied by the radical. It is also commonly used as an adverb to describe actions done secretly or without permission.

Etymology Hide

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)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

取了资料。

Tā qièqǔle zīliào.

He stole the materials.

小偷盗了钱包。

Xiǎotōu dàoqièle qiánbāo.

The thief stole the wallet.

听了他的电话。

Tā qiètīngle tā de diànhuà.

She eavesdropped on his phone call.

贼被警察抓住了。

Qièzéi bèi jǐngchá zhuā zhùle.

The thief was caught by the police.

他因盗罪被判刑。

Tā yīn dàoqiè zuì bèi pànxíng.

He was sentenced for theft.

商业间谍取了公司秘密。

Shāngyè jiàndié qièqǔle gōngsī mìmì.

The corporate spy stole company secrets.

防止数据取是重要任务。

Fángzhǐ shùjù qièqǔ shì zhòngyào rènwù.

Preventing data theft is an important task.

他们取技术成果的行为可耻。

Tāmen qièqǔ jìshù chéngguǒ de xíngwéi kěchǐ.

Their act of stealing technological achievements is shameful.