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期 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
periodHSK 4, n, 12 strokes, radical 月, rank #2258, Medium
cycleHSK 4, n, 12 strokes, radical 月, rank #2258, Medium
a period of time; date, time; phaseHSK 4, n, 12 strokes, radical 月, rank #2258, Medium
classifier for issues of a periodical, courses of studyHSK 4, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 月, rank #2258, Medium
termHSK 4, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 月, rank #2258, Medium
to hopeHSK 4, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 月, rank #2258, Medium
Taiwan pr. [qi2]HSK 4, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 月, rank #2258, Medium
(qi1) T1
  1. 1period
  2. 2cycle
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March 24, 2026
(朞)(qi1)

The character '期' (qī) refers to a period of time or a specific date, often used in contexts like deadlines or phases in a process. It can also imply a hope or expectation regarding future outcomes. Commonly, '期' is found in phrases like '期望' (qīwàng), meaning hope or expectation.

Strokes12RadicalFrequency#2258DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

'期' is frequently used in Chinese business culture, especially concerning deadlines and project phases, reflecting the importance of time management in professional settings. Understanding its usage can help in navigating workplace communication effectively.

Memory Tip

Imagine the character '期' as a calendar page flipping over to a new date, representing the passage of time. The left part of the character suggests a horizon, symbolizing looking forward to future dates. Remember that 'qī' sounds like 'key', as in a key date to remember.

Meanings of 期

(qi1)
1period
2cycle
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 期

Simplified
Traditional
12Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2258Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 期

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AI Study Notes for 期

Quick Contrast

期 (qī) vs 时 (shí) — use 期 for defined periods or dates, while 时 refers more generally to time or moments.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine the character '期' as a calendar page flipping over to a new date, representing the passage of time. The left part of the character suggests a horizon, symbolizing looking forward to future dates. Remember that 'qī' sounds like 'key', as in a key date to remember.

Usage Notes

'期' is often used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in scheduling and planning. A common mistake is to confuse it with '期' pronounced as 'qi' in some dialects, leading to miscommunication. Watch out for tone, as 'qī' (first tone) is different from 'qí' (second tone), which can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although '期' is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it appears in vocabulary surrounding time and planning. Students should focus on its usage in common phrases and practice contextualizing it within sentences about schedules or expectations, connecting it with words like '时间' (shíjiān, time) and '希望' (xīwàng, hope).

Cultural Note

'期' is frequently used in Chinese business culture, especially concerning deadlines and project phases, reflecting the importance of time management in professional settings. Understanding its usage can help in navigating workplace communication effectively.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '期' with similar-sounding words, leading to incorrect usage, such as saying '这个期' (this period) when they mean '这个时间' (this time). Always ensure the context matches the intended meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 期

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Etymology of 期

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

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

Memory Hint

moon

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 期?

Decomposition of 期

IDS Structure⿰其月
Full Character
=
qi2
left
yue4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 期?

Write 期

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

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Grammar Patterns of 期

期 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

今天星____二。

Today is Tuesday.

Example Sentences for 期 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我感谢他们长期以来忠诚的效力。

wǒ gǎn xiè tā mén cháng qī yǐ lái zhōng chéng de xiào lì。

I thanked them for their long and loyal service.
2
我认为长期伏案的生活一点也不适合我。

wǒ rèn wéi cháng qī fú àn de shēng huó yī diǎn yě bù shì hé wǒ。

I don't think a sedentary life would altogether suit me.
3
她转身望着我,脸上带着期待的表情。

tā zhuǎn shēn wàng zháo wǒ, , liǎn shàng dài zháo qī dài de biǎo。

She turned to me with an expectant look on her face.
4
定期航班的数量正让空中交通指挥系统不堪重负。

dìng qī háng bān de shù liáng zhèng ràng kōng zhōng jiāo tōng zhǐ huī xì tǒng bù kān zhòng fù。

The volume of scheduled flights is straining the air traffic control system.
5
“对此你期望我怎么办?”她质问道。

“ “ duì cǐ nǐ qī wàng wǒ zěn mó?” bàn ?” tā zhì。

"What did you expect me to do about it?" she demanded.
6
如果你读过我早期的回忆录,就全都明白了。

rú guǒ nǐ dú guò wǒ zǎo qī de huí yì lù, , jiù quán dū míng bái。

If you've read my earlier memoirs you'll know all about it.
7
放假期间你读了很多书吗?

fàng jiǎ qī jiān nǐ dú le hěn duō shū ma?

Did you have a lot of reading during the vacation?
8
你知道,战争期间我是一名陆军少校。

nǐ zhī dào, , zhàn zhēng qī jiān wǒ shì yī míng lù jūn shǎo。

I was a major in the war, you know.
9
上为期一周的专业课,提高你的写作技能。

shàng wéi qī yī zhōu de zhuān yè kè, , tí gāo nǐ de xiě zuò jì。

Polish up your writing skills on a one-week professional course.
10
通货膨胀的下降是长期经济衰退中的一线转机。

tōng huò péng zhàng de xià jiàng shì cháng qī jīng jì shuāi tuì zhōng de yī xiàn zhuǎn jī。

The fall in inflation is the silver lining of the prolonged recession.

Cultural Notes for 期

🏮Cultural insight

'期' is frequently used in Chinese business culture, especially concerning deadlines and project phases, reflecting the importance of time management in professional settings. Understanding its usage can help in navigating workplace communication effectively.

Word Family of 期

Words Containing This Character20
星期xīngqīweek
期待qīdàito await
phase
期间qījiāntime期間
时期shíqīperiod時期
长期chángqīlong term長期
期望qīwànghope
预期yùqīto expect預期
近期jìnqīnear in time
日期rìqīdate
假期jiàqīvacation
短期duǎnqīshort term
同期tóngqīconcurrent
星期五Friday
期货abbr. for 期貨合約|期货合约[qī​huò​hé​yuē], futures contract (finance)期貨
星期六Saturday
早期zǎoqīearly period
星期天xīngqītiānSunday
期限qīxiàntime limit
学期xuéqīterm學期
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 星期 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 期

'期' can be used to indicate a deadline, like in '提交截止日期是下个星期一' (The submission deadline is next Monday).