Definitions

qiáo (adjective) tall; elevated
qiáo (verb) to raise; to lift up

Etymology

Simplified form of . Originally written the same as (tall). The top part of the character was altered to distinguish from .

About

The character '乔' derives from its traditional form '喬', a structural composition that combines the component '夭', implying youthfulness or pliancy, with '高' denoting height, thus originally conveying the image of a tall and slender young tree. Over time, its meaning broadened from this specific botanical association to a more general sense of loftiness or elevated stature, applicable in both literal and metaphorical descriptions. The character subsequently accumulated additional semantic layers, including notions of alteration or pretense, as observed in compounds such as '乔装' for disguise, where the idea of changing one's appearance aligns with a concept of modified or heightened presentation. The simplified iteration '乔' maintains the essential component '夭' while streamlining the lower element, yet the foundational etymological connections to height and transformation persist in its modern usage.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 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)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

迁之喜。

Qiáo qiān zhī xǐ.

The joy of moving to a new house (a congratulatory phrase for moving).

装成商人。

Tā qiáozhuāng chéng shāngrén.

He disguised himself as a merchant.

这片森林有很多木。

Zhè piàn sēnlín yǒu hěn duō qiáomù.

This forest has many trees (arbors).

我的朋友叫治。

Wǒ de péngyou jiào Qiáozhì.

My friend is called George.

布斯是位著名企业家。

Qiáobùsī shì wèi zhùmíng qǐyè jiā.

Steve Jobs was a famous entrepreneur.

尔今天心情很好。

Qiáo'ěr jīntiān xīnqíng hěn hǎo.

Joel is in a very good mood today.

她穿着其纱的裙子。

Tā chuānzhe qiáoqíshā de qúnzi.

She is wearing a georgette skirt.

这件衣服是其绒面料。

Zhè jiàn yīfu shì qiáoqíróng miànliào.

This garment is made of velvet georgette fabric.