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謦 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
謦qìto speak softlyx, 18 strokes, radical 言
謦qìcough slightlyunknown, 18 strokes, radical 言
謦qìngto speak softlyx, 18 strokes, radical 言
謦qìngcough slightlyunknown, 18 strokes, radical 言
qìng(qing4)
primary
T4
  1. 1to speak softly
  2. 2cough slightly
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March 24, 2026

謦qìng(qing4)

The character 謦 (qìng) refers to the act of speaking softly or gently. It can also denote a slight cough, often implying a subtle or discreet action rather than a forceful one. This character is commonly used in contexts where a soft or gentle voice is appropriate.

Strokes18Radical言
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, speaking softly can be seen as a sign of respect and modesty, especially in formal or traditional settings. It reflects the value placed on humility and the art of conversation.

Memory Tip

Imagine a gentle breeze (the soft sound of speaking) whispering through leaves, making a soft 'qìng' sound. The character 謦 has the speech radical 言, hinting at its relation to talking gently, while the other component suggests a lightness, akin to a soft cough.

Meanings of 謦

qìng(qing4)
primary
1to speak softly
2cough slightly
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 謦

謦Simplified
18Strokes
言Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 謦

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Podcast: 謦

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AI Study Notes for 謦

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 謦 with louder forms of speech or coughing. The tone is critical; using the wrong tone could change the meaning entirely. This character is more commonly used in literary or formal contexts rather than casual speech.

HSK Study Tips

Though 謦 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 3 words related to communication, such as 说 (shuō, to speak). Focus on understanding how it describes softer modes of speech, complementing more assertive terms.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 謦 with more common words for speaking or coughing. For example, saying '我会谦 (wǒ huì qiān)' instead of '我会谦声说话 (wǒ huì qìngshēng shuōhuà)' can lead to misunderstanding, as the latter emphasizes the gentle manner of speaking.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 謦

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Etymology of 謦

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

speech

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

Origin

謦 = 言 + 殸. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 謦

IDS Structure⿱殸言
謦Full Character
=
殸qing4
top
言yan2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 謦?

How to say to speak softly in Chinese

“to speak softly” in Chinese is謦qì

The character 謦 (qìng) refers to the act of speaking softly or gently. It can also denote a slight cough, often implying a subtle or discreet action rather than a forceful one. This character is commonly used in contexts where a soft or gentle voice is appropriate.

When to use 謦

Be careful not to confuse 謦 with louder forms of speech or coughing. The tone is critical; using the wrong tone could change the meaning entirely. This character is more commonly used in literary or formal contexts rather than casual speech.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 謦 with more common words for speaking or coughing. For example, saying '我会谦 (wǒ huì qiān)' instead of '我会谦声说话 (wǒ huì qìngshēng shuōhuà)' can lead to misunderstanding, as the latter emphasizes the gentle manner of speaking.

Write 謦

謦

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

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Word Family of 謦

Words Containing This Character1
謦qìngcough slightly

Frequently Asked Questions about 謦

You can say '他轻声谕谦地说话,声音如同微风般柔和。' (He spoke softly and gently, like a breeze.)

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