Meanings of 黥
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About 黥
Podcast: 黥
Podcast: 黥
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AI Study Notes for 黥
When using 黥, be aware that it is not commonly used in everyday conversation and may be more relevant in historical or literary contexts. Avoid confusion with similar-sounding words by paying attention to tone; 'qíng' has a rising tone, while 'qīng' (青) means blue or green.
Although 黥 is not included in HSK levels, it can be related to HSK vocabulary concerning body parts or actions. Focus on understanding its historical context and the cultural implications of tattooing in society, which can provide insight into more common words like '纹身' (wénshēn - tattoo).
Learners often confuse 黥 with the similarly pronounced 青 (qīng), which means blue or green. For instance, saying '我想黥这个图案' (wǒ xiǎng qíng zhège tú'àn) mistakenly implies wanting to tattoo an image when they might mean to say '我想纹身这个图案' (wǒ xiǎng wénshēn zhège tú'àn).
Pronunciation of 黥
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Etymology of 黥
black
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 黥
- 1The meaning half黑 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half京 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayblack
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 黥? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 黥
Identify the Components
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How to say to tattoo; to brand the face of criminals in Chinese
“to tattoo; to brand the face of criminals” in Chinese is黥
The character 黥 (qíng) refers to the act of tattooing or marking the skin, often associated with branding criminals in ancient China. This practice was a form of punishment and social stigma, indicating a person's wrongdoing. Today, it can also refer to the surname 'Qing'.
When to use 黥
When using 黥, be aware that it is not commonly used in everyday conversation and may be more relevant in historical or literary contexts. Avoid confusion with similar-sounding words by paying attention to tone; 'qíng' has a rising tone, while 'qīng' (青) means blue or green.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 黥 with the similarly pronounced 青 (qīng), which means blue or green. For instance, saying '我想黥这个图案' (wǒ xiǎng qíng zhège tú'àn) mistakenly implies wanting to tattoo an image when they might mean to say '我想纹身这个图案' (wǒ xiǎng wénshēn zhège tú'àn).
Write 黥
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Practice writing 黥 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 黥
Compound Meaning
What does 黥 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 黥
In modern usage, 黥 is mostly historical and refers to the act of tattooing or marking criminals, rather than everyday tattoos.
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