虔

qián

文 + 虍

Definitions

qián to act with reverence; reverent

Etymology

About

The character 虔 (qián) combines the tiger radical 虍 (hū) , once evoking the cruelty, killing, or force of a predatory tiger , with the phonetic 文 (wén, pattern/writing), which also suggests civilized or patterned behavior. Over centuries, the meaning shifted from this violent origin to sincerity, reverence, and devotion, especially in religious contexts. It now appears in words for pious devotion, firm sincerity, and unwavering respect , a complete semantic departure from its aggressive roots.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

她是一个虔诚的信徒。

Tā shì yī gè qiánchéng de xìntú.

She is a devout believer.

他虔诚地跪在神像前。

Tā qiánchéng de guì zài shénxiàng qián.

He kneels devoutly before the idol.

信徒们虔诚地诵经。

Xìntúmen qiánchéng de sòngjīng.

The believers chant scriptures devoutly.

他的虔诚感动了所有人。

Tā de qiánchéng gǎndòngle suǒyǒu rén.

His devoutness moved everyone.

她以虔诚的心态对待生活。

Tā yǐ qiánchéng de xīntài duìdài shēnghuó.

She treats life with a devout attitude.

在寺庙里，人们都表现得非常虔诚。

Zài sìmiào lǐ, rénmen dōu biǎoxiàn dé fēicháng qiánchéng.

In the temple, people all behave very devoutly.

唯有虔诚才能获得内心的平静。

Wéiyǒu qiánchéng cáinéng huòdé nèixīn de píngjìng.

Only devoutness can attain inner peace.

他对信仰的虔诚程度令人钦佩。

Tā duì xìnyǎng de qiánchéng chéngdù lìngrén qīnpèi.

The degree of his devoutness to faith is admirable.

Related Characters

Component: 文

Component: 虍

虔