Definitions

qīng (adjective) light; not heavy
qīng (adjective) gentle; soft; mild
qīng (adjective) easy; simple
qīng (adjective) unimportant; trivial
qīng (verb) to belittle; to disparage

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and 𢀖 represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "轻" originated from its traditional form "輕", which is composed of the radical for chariot on the left and the component "巠" on the right, the latter providing phonetic guidance while also carrying an association with something slender or fine. This structure originally denoted a light or small chariot, a meaning that naturally extended to the general concept of physical lightness in weight or movement. Over time, the semantic range of the character broadened considerably to encompass metaphorical and abstract dimensions, including notions of insignificance, ease, frivolity, and gentleness. The modern simplified form replaced the complex chariot radical with the more generic cart radical, while retaining the essential phonetic element, thus streamlining the character's structure without altering its core conceptual lineage from concrete conveyance to a wide spectrum of qualitative descriptions.

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 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 Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个盒子很

Zhè ge hé zi hěn qīng.

This box is very light.

点放东西。

Qǐng qīng diǎn fàng dōng xi.

Please put things down gently.

人应该多学习。

Nián qīng rén yīng gāi duō xué xí.

Young people should study more.

松地完成了任务。

Tā qīng sōng de wán chéng le rèn wù.

He completed the task easily.

清晨的风让人感到舒适。

Qīng chén de qīng fēng ràng rén gǎn dào shū shì.

The light wind in the morning makes people feel comfortable.

轨交通在城市中很重要。

Qīng guǐ jiāo tōng zài chéng shì zhōng hěn zhòng yào.

Light rail transportation is very important in cities.

量化设计提高了产品性能。

Qīng liàng huà shè jì tí gāo le chǎn pǐn xìng néng.

Lightweight design improves product performance.

蔑的态度不利于沟通。

Qīng miè de tài dù bù lì yú gōu tōng.

A contemptuous attitude is not conducive to communication.