绮

綺

qǐ

奇 + 纟

Definitions

qǐ beautiful; open-work silk

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 奇 represents the sound. Simplified form of 綺.

Semantic: 纟 Phonetic: 奇

About

绮 (qǐ) is the simplified form of 綺. It is a phono-semantic compound: the left-hand radical 纟 (simplified from 糸, mì, meaning silk or fine thread) provides the semantic category, while the right-hand component 奇 (qí) gives the pronunciation. Originally, the character referred to a fine, patterned, or delicately woven silk fabric used for high-quality garments. This literal meaning extended to an adjective describing anything beautiful, gorgeous, or splendid, often applied to literary works, beautiful scenery, or elaborate youthful dreams. The compound 绮丽 (qǐlì), meaning exceptionally beautiful or enchanting, illustrates this shift from tangible textile beauty to abstract visual and conceptual beauty.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这件裙子很绮丽。

Zhè jiàn qúnzi hěn qǐlì.

This skirt is very beautiful.

她的绮梦成真了。

Tā de qǐ mèng chéngzhēn le.

Her beautiful dream has come true.

花园里的花朵绮丽夺目。

Huāyuán lǐ de huāduǒ qǐlì duómù.

The flowers in the garden are beautifully dazzling.

他穿着绮罗制成的衣服。

Tā chuānzhe qǐluó zhì chéng de yīfu.

He is wearing clothes made of fine silk.

那片绮丽的云彩慢慢消散了。

Nà piàn qǐlì de yúncai mànman xiāosàn le.

That beautiful cloud slowly dispersed.

她的笔下流出绮丽的诗句。

Tā de bǐ xià liú chū qǐlì de shījù.

From her pen flow beautiful verses.

尽管现实残酷，她仍怀有绮丽的希望。

Jǐnguǎn xiànshí cánkù, tā réng huái yǒu qǐlì de xīwàng.

Although reality is harsh, she still holds beautiful hope.

在古老的传说中，有一个绮丽而神秘的世界。

Zài gǔlǎo de chuánshuō zhōng, yǒu yīgè qǐlì ér shénmì de shìjiè.

In ancient legends, there is a beautiful and mysterious world.

Related Characters

Component: 奇

Component: 纟

绮