欺

qī

其 + 欠

Definitions

qī (verb) to deceive; to cheat

qī (verb) to take unfair advantage of

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 欠 represents the meaning and 其 represents the sound.

Semantic: 欠 Phonetic: 其

About

欺 is a phonosemantic compound combining the phonetic component 其 (qí) on the left with the semantic component 欠 (qiàn) on the right. 欠 depicts a person with an open mouth and relates to lack or exhalation, while the character as a whole conveys deception, bullying, and taking advantage. This association with breath suggests using false words or illusions to mislead, and 欺 commonly appears in terms for fraud, cheating, and intimidation.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

别欺骗朋友。

Bié qīpiàn péngyǒu.

Don't deceive friends.

他欺负弟弟。

Tā qīfu dìdi.

He bullies his younger brother.

欺诈是犯罪。

Qīzhà shì fànzuì.

Fraud is a crime.

不要欺负弱小。

Bùyào qīfu ruòxiǎo.

Don't bully the weak.

他欺骗了所有人。

Tā qīpiàn le suǒyǒu rén.

He deceived everyone.

欺诈消费者会被处罚。

Qīzhà xiāofèizhě huì bèi chǔfá.

Cheating consumers will be punished.

公司因欺诈行为而倒闭。

Gōngsī yīn qīzhà xíngwéi ér dǎobì.

The company went bankrupt due to fraudulent behavior.

历史上许多统治者都欺压过百姓。

Lìshǐ shàng xǔduō tǒngzhì zhě dōu qīyā guò bǎixìng.

Many rulers in history have oppressed the common people.

Related Characters

Component: 其

Component: 欠

欺