轻

輕

qīng

车 + 𢀖

HSK 2.0Level 4

HSK 3.0Level 4

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 輕. Phonosemantic compound. 車 represents the meaning and 𢀖 represents the sound.

Semantic: 车 Phonetic: 工

About

轻, the simplified form of 輕, is a phonosemantic compound. The left side, 车 (traditional 車), is the vehicle radical, indicating the general category of carts, carriages, and transportation. The right side, 𢀖, is a simplification of the phonetic 巠, which dictates the sound. The character was first used for a light, agile military chariot. Because an unburdened cart is easier to maneuver and pull, the meaning expanded to denote physical lightness of any kind. From there, it metaphorically broadened to abstract notions like gentleness, unimportance, frivolity, or taking something lightly.

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

这个盒子很轻。

Zhè ge hé zi hěn qīng.

This box is very light.

请轻点放东西。

Qǐng qīng diǎn fàng dōng xi.

Please put things down gently.

年轻人应该多学习。

Nián qīng rén yīng gāi duō xué xí.

Young people should study more.

他轻松地完成了任务。

Tā qīng sōng de wán chéng le rèn wù.

He completed the task easily.

清晨的轻风让人感到舒适。

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

The light wind in the morning makes people feel comfortable.

轻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.

轻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.

轻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.

Related Characters

Component: 车

Component: 𢀖

Example Words