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 (traditional: 喬) originated as a pictograph of a tall, curved form, often seen as a large tree with high-spreading branches. Its traditional structure combines elements suggesting height and a bent shape. In its modern form, the top component 夭 (yāo) historically implied a bending posture, placed over a modified lower section. The primary meaning describes something exceptionally tall or towering, particularly used for trees with very high trunks. It is also commonly used as a phonetic loan for a Chinese surname and in transcriptions of foreign names.

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.