HSK 4, a, 5 strokes, radical 工, rank #3152, Medium
巧
qiǎo
coincidentally
HSK 4, a, 5 strokes, radical 工, rank #3152, Medium
巧
qiǎo
as it happens
HSK 4, a, 5 strokes, radical 工, rank #3152, Medium
巧
qiǎo
skillful
HSK 4, a, 5 strokes, radical 工, rank #3152, Medium
巧
qiǎo
timely
HSK 4, a, 5 strokes, radical 工, rank #3152, Medium
巧
qiǎo
skillful, ingenious, clever
HSK 4, a, 5 strokes, radical 工, rank #3152, Medium
qiǎo(qiao3) T3
1opportunely
2coincidentally
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March 24, 2026
巧qiǎo(qiao3)
The character 巧 (qiǎo) conveys meanings related to skillfulness, cleverness, and coincidence. It is often used to describe situations that are fortuitous or happen by chance, as well as to refer to someone's adeptness in a particular task or craft. In everyday language, it can imply a sense of ingenuity or resourcefulness.
Strokes5Radical工Frequency#3152DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of being巧 is often associated with traditional crafts and arts, where skill and cleverness are highly valued. For instance, in calligraphy or painting, a巧 artist can create stunning pieces with seemingly effortless techniques.
Memory Tip
Imagine a skilled craftsman (the character's meaning) who creates something beautiful just at the right moment (巧). The top part of 巧 resembles a roof, indicating a place where skillful work is done, while the bottom part, with its horizontal lines, can remind you of the clever arrangements that lead to successful coincidences.
Meanings of 巧
qiǎo(qiao3)
1opportunely
2coincidentally
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 巧
巧Simplified
5Strokes
工Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#3152Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 巧
Podcast: 巧
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AI Study Notes for 巧
Quick Contrast
巧 (qiǎo) vs 灵巧 (língqiǎo) — choose 巧 for general skillfulness or coincidence, while 灵巧 emphasizes agility and finesse.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a skilled craftsman (the character's meaning) who creates something beautiful just at the right moment (巧). The top part of 巧 resembles a roof, indicating a place where skillful work is done, while the bottom part, with its horizontal lines, can remind you of the clever arrangements that lead to successful coincidences.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of using 巧 in contexts that emphasize skill or chance, as it can sound overly formal in casual conversations. It often collocates with words like 巧妙 (qiǎomiào, ingenious) and 巧合 (qiǎohé, coincidence). Pay attention to the third tone when pronouncing it, as confusing it with other tones can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Although not currently listed in HSK levels, 巧 connects well with other vocabulary related to skill (技能, jìnéng) or coincidence (巧合, qiǎohé). Focus on its usage in phrases and contexts to help reinforce its meaning, especially in conversational Mandarin.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of being巧 is often associated with traditional crafts and arts, where skill and cleverness are highly valued. For instance, in calligraphy or painting, a巧 artist can create stunning pieces with seemingly effortless techniques.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 巧 with similar-sounding words. For example, saying '巧 (qiǎo)' when they mean '巧妙 (qiǎomiào)' can lead to misunderstanding, as the latter specifically emphasizes ingenuity. Remember to use the full term when appropriate.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 巧
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Grammar Patterns of 巧
巧 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
The builders have perched a light concrete dome on eight slender columns.
7
如果你碰巧能和他说话，让他给我打个电话。
rú guǒ nǐ pèng qiǎo néng hé tā shuō huà， ， ràng tā gěi wǒ dǎ gè diàn。
If you happen to talk to him, have him call me.
8
他们坚持要比淡而无味的英国货味道更好的巧克力。
tā mén jiān chí yào bǐ dàn ér wú wèi de yīng guó huò wèi dào gēng hǎo de qiǎo kè lì。
They insist on tastier chocolate than the anaemic British stuff.
9
他已经准备好尽量巧妙地讨论这个问题。
tā yǐ jīng zhǔn bèi hǎo jìn liáng qiǎo miào dì tǎo lùn zhè gè wèn tí。
He's prepared to have a bash at discussing it intelligently.
10
它防水性能非常好，但却轻巧舒适。
tā fáng shuǐ xìng néng fēi cháng hǎo， ， dàn què qīng qiǎo shū。
It is completely waterproof, yet light and comfortable.
Cultural Notes for 巧
💡Did you know?
'巧' is often used in Chinese idioms such as '巧妙' (qiǎomiào), meaning ingenious or skillful, showing how language reflects the value placed on skill and creativity in Chinese culture.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of being巧 is often associated with traditional crafts and arts, where skill and cleverness are highly valued. For instance, in calligraphy or painting, a巧 artist can create stunning pieces with seemingly effortless techniques.
📜Proverb
A common saying is '巧妇难为无米之炊', meaning even a skilled person cannot create something without the necessary resources. This highlights the importance of opportunity and capability.
Word Family of 巧
Compounds1
窍qiao4hole
Words Containing This Character20
巧克力qiǎokèlìchocolate (loanword)
技巧jìqiǎoskill
巧qiǎoopportunely
巧合qiǎohécoincidence
巧妙qiǎomiàoingenious
碰巧pèngqiǎoby chance
小巧delicate
恰巧qiàqiǎofortunately
轻巧deft輕巧
精巧elaborate
凑巧còuqiǎoluckily湊巧
乖巧guāiqiǎosmart
正巧just by chance
灵巧língqiǎodeft靈巧
不巧too bad
刚巧by chance剛巧
投机取巧to seize every opportunity投機取巧
花言巧语cheating wheedling花言巧語
巧手dexterous
心灵手巧xīnlíngshǒuqiǎocapable心靈手巧
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 窍 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 巧
Some common phrases using 巧 (qiǎo) include '巧妙' (qiǎomiào), meaning 'ingenious' or 'skillfully done,' and '巧合' (qiǎohé), meaning 'coincidence.' These phrases emphasize the cleverness or unexpected nature of situations.
Yes, 巧 (qiǎo) is commonly used in everyday conversation, especially when discussing skills or coincidences. It's a versatile word that can enhance your ability to express cleverness or serendipity in various contexts.
巧 (qiǎo) primarily means 'skillful' or 'clever.' It can also refer to something happening 'coincidentally' or 'opportunely.' This character is often used to describe someone who has a knack for doing things well or in a timely manner.
You can use 巧 (qiǎo) in sentences to describe a skillful action or a fortunate coincidence. For example, you might say '他的手艺很巧' (His skills are very skillful) or '我们巧遇在商店' (We coincidentally met at the store).
Yes, 巧 can describe a person as skillful or clever, often in the context of their abilities or talents.
It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but in everyday conversation, simpler terms might be preferred.
Common phrases include 巧妙 (qiǎomiào, ingenious) and 巧合 (qiǎohé, coincidence).
