Qing or Ch'ing dynasty of Imperial China (1644-1911)
HSK 6, t, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1055, Hard
清
qīng
surname Qing
HSK 6, t, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1055, Hard
清
qīng
distinct
HSK 6, t, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1055, Hard
清
qīng
quiet
HSK 6, t, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1055, Hard
清
qīng
just and honest
HSK 6, t, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1055, Hard
清
qīng
pure
HSK 6, t, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1055, Hard
清
qīng
to settle or clear up
HSK 6, t, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1055, Hard
清
qīng
to clean up or purge
HSK 6, t, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1055, Hard
清
qīng
clean, pure; clear, distinct; peaceful
HSK 6, t, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1055, Hard
qīng(qing1) T1
1clear
2Qing or Ch'ing dynasty of Imperial China (1644-1911)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
清qīng(qing1)
The character 清 (qīng) primarily means 'clear' or 'pure' and is often used in contexts such as describing clarity in water or air. It can also imply honesty and tranquility, and it has historical significance as it refers to the Qing Dynasty, a major period in Imperial China lasting from 1644 to 1911.
Strokes11Radical氵Frequency#1055DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The Qing Dynasty is a significant part of Chinese history, being the last imperial dynasty. The character 清 connects to cultural discussions about Chinese history, art, and the legacies of imperial rule.
Memory Tip
Imagine a crystal-clear stream (清) flowing in a peaceful valley. The character has the water radical (氵) on the left, symbolizing clarity, and the character 青 (qīng) on the right, which also represents blue/green, connecting to the idea of purity in nature.
Meanings of 清
qīng(qing1)
1clear
2Qing or Ch'ing dynasty of Imperial China (1644-1911)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 清
清Simplified
11Strokes
氵Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#1055Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1
Podcast: 清
Podcast: 清
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 清
Quick Contrast
清 (qīng) vs 明 (míng) — use 清 for clarity or purity, while 明 emphasizes brightness or light.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a crystal-clear stream (清) flowing in a peaceful valley. The character has the water radical (氵) on the left, symbolizing clarity, and the character 青 (qīng) on the right, which also represents blue/green, connecting to the idea of purity in nature.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 清 (qīng) with other similar-sounding characters like 请 (qǐng), which means 'please.' It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of sentence structures when describing emotions or states of being, such as '清楚' (qīngchǔ) meaning 'clear' or 'understood.'
HSK Study Tips
Although 清 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it is relevant for learners studying adjectives and descriptions. Focus on how 清 can combine with other characters to form phrases like 清洁 (qīngjié) meaning 'clean' and 清晰 (qīngxī) meaning 'clear and distinct.'
Cultural Note
The Qing Dynasty is a significant part of Chinese history, being the last imperial dynasty. The character 清 connects to cultural discussions about Chinese history, art, and the legacies of imperial rule.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 清 (qīng) with other similar characters, leading to incorrect phrases like '清楚 (qīngchǔ)' being mistakenly pronounced as 'qǐngchǔ.' Always remember the correct pronunciation and context for clarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 清
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 清 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 清 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 清
清 carries 10 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Bosses have a way of always finding out about such things.
Cultural Notes for 清
💡Did you know?
The Qing dynasty, which lasted from 1644 to 1911, was the last imperial dynasty of China. It is known for its rich culture, including advancements in art, literature, and governance. The name 'Qing' itself means 'clear' or 'pure', signifying the dynasty's aspiration for a harmonious society.
🏮Cultural insight
The Qing Dynasty is a significant part of Chinese history, being the last imperial dynasty. The character 清 connects to cultural discussions about Chinese history, art, and the legacies of imperial rule.
Word Family of 清
Compounds1
蔳
Words Containing This Character20
清楚qīngchuclear
清qīngclear
清理qīnglǐto clear up
清醒qīngxǐngsober
清晰qīngxīclear
清洁qīngjiéclean清潔
清除qīngchúto clear away
清新qīngxīnQingxin county in Qingyuan 清远, Guangdong
血清serum
清洗qīngxǐto wash
清白pure
清单qīngdānlist of items清單
清晨qīngchénearly morning
澄清chéngqīnglimpid
清水fresh water
清华abbr. for 清華大學|清华大学[QīnghuáDàxué]清華
清算to settle accounts
弄清to clarify
清华大学Tsinghua or Qinghua University, Beijing清華大學
清洁工qīngjiégōngcleaner清潔工
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 清楚 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 清
The Qing dynasty (1644-1911) is significant as it was the last imperial dynasty in China, marking a period of prosperity and territorial expansion. It is known for its unique cultural developments and interactions with Western powers, leading to significant changes in Chinese society and governance.
清 is pronounced as qīng in Mandarin. It is used in various contexts to describe clarity, purity, or to refer to the historical Qing dynasty. Understanding its usage can enhance your comprehension of Chinese literature and history.
清 (qīng) has several meanings in Chinese, including 'clear' or 'pure'. It can also refer to the Qing dynasty, which was the last imperial dynasty of China. Additionally, it can describe someone who is quiet, just, or honest.
清 can be used in various contexts, such as 清水 (qīng shuǐ) meaning 'clear water', or in the phrase 清楚 (qīng chǔ), which means 'to be clear or distinct'. It can also describe a character trait, for example, 清白 (qīng bái) means 'innocent or pure'.
It is pronounced as 'qīng' with a high-level tone.
清 (qīng) means 'clear' or 'pure,' while 清楚 (qīngchǔ) means 'to understand clearly' or 'to be clear about something.'
Yes, 清 can describe a state of being, such as feeling 'clear' or 'at peace'.
