Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
撳 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
撳qìnto presszg, 15 strokes, radical 扌
qìn(qin4) T4
  1. 1to press
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

撳qìn(qin4)

The character 撳 (qìn) means 'to press' or 'to push.' It is commonly used in contexts involving physical pressure or applying force to an object, such as pressing a button or squeezing something tightly. This character conveys a sense of action and direct engagement with an object.

Strokes15Radical扌
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, pressing is often associated with traditional practices, such as pressing tea leaves to enhance flavor or pressing fabric in fabric arts. Understanding this character can deepen your appreciation of these cultural rituals.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'pin' (sounds like 'qìn') that you use to press on a balloon, causing it to pop. The character 撳 has the 'hand' radical (扌) on the left, indicating action done by hand, and the right side suggests a solid object being pressed down upon.

Meanings of 撳

qìn(qin4)
1to press
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 撳 means.

About 撳

撳Simplified
15Strokes
扌Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 撳

JasonAmy

Podcast: 撳

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 撳

Quick Contrast

压 (yā, to press down) — use 撳 (qìn) when emphasizing a direct, forceful action on an object, while 压 (yā) can imply a more general pressing down without the same intensity.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 撳 with similar verbs like 推 (tuī), which means 'to push' in a broader sense. It is an informal term and is often used in everyday conversation, especially when discussing physical actions. Remember to use the correct tones to avoid misunderstandings, as tone mistakes can change meanings.

HSK Study Tips

Although 撳 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be connected to other verbs of action in HSK levels such as 按 (àn) meaning 'to press' or 'to push.' Focus on how these verbs are used in context to develop a clearer understanding of physical actions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 撳 with 按, mistakenly using 撳 when they should use 按 in contexts that require a more general meaning of 'to press.' For example, saying 撳门 (qìn mén) instead of 按门 (àn mén) for 'press the door' is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 撳

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 撳 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 撳 to You

Let me explain 撳 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 撳 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 撳?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 撳 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 撳

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

hand

Semantic (meaning)扌
+
Phonetic (sound)欽
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

撳 = 扌 + 欽. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 撳

IDS Structure⿰扌欽
撳Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
欽qin1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 撳?

How to say to press in Chinese

“to press” in Chinese is撳qìn

The character 撳 (qìn) means 'to press' or 'to push.' It is commonly used in contexts involving physical pressure or applying force to an object, such as pressing a button or squeezing something tightly. This character conveys a sense of action and direct engagement with an object.

When to use 撳

Be careful not to confuse 撳 with similar verbs like 推 (tuī), which means 'to push' in a broader sense. It is an informal term and is often used in everyday conversation, especially when discussing physical actions. Remember to use the correct tones to avoid misunderstandings, as tone mistakes can change meanings.

撳 or something close to it

压 (yā, to press down) — use 撳 (qìn) when emphasizing a direct, forceful action on an object, while 压 (yā) can imply a more general pressing down without the same intensity.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 撳 with 按, mistakenly using 撳 when they should use 按 in contexts that require a more general meaning of 'to press.' For example, saying 撳门 (qìn mén) instead of 按门 (àn mén) for 'press the door' is incorrect.

Write 撳

撳

Practice writing 撳 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 撳?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Word Family of 撳

Words Containing This Character1
揿qìnto press (bell)搇
Exercise 1 of 1

Characters with 撳

What does 揿 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 撳

You can use 撳 in a sentence like: 我撳了这个按钮 (Wǒ qìn le zhège ànniǔ), meaning 'I pressed this button.'.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 撳?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab