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March 24, 2026
乞丐qǐgài(qi3gai4)
乞丐 (qǐgài) refers to a person who begs for money or food, often due to poverty or lack of resources. This term is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, typically to describe individuals in difficult living situations who rely on the generosity of others.
Frequency#9773DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 乞丐 are often seen on the streets, especially in urban areas, and their presence can spark discussions about social welfare and government support systems. This reflects a complex relationship with poverty and charity in society.
Memory Tip
Think of 乞丐 as a 'kid' (the '乞' part looks like a child with outstretched hands) begging for 'gai' (the '丐' part sounds like 'guy') food. Imagine a child (乞) asking a guy (丐) for help, making the connection between the character and its meaning vivid.
Meanings of 乞丐
qǐgài(qi3gai4)
1beggar
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About 乞丐
乞丐Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#9773Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 乞丐
Podcast: 乞丐
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AI Study Notes for 乞丐
Quick Contrast
流浪汉 (liúlànghàn) refers to a homeless person who may not necessarily beg, while 乞丐 (qǐgài) specifically emphasizes the act of begging for alms.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 乞丐 as a 'kid' (the '乞' part looks like a child with outstretched hands) begging for 'gai' (the '丐' part sounds like 'guy') food. Imagine a child (乞) asking a guy (丐) for help, making the connection between the character and its meaning vivid.
Usage Notes
While 乞丐 is a standard term, it can carry a negative connotation in certain contexts. Be cautious of using it too casually, as it may seem disrespectful. Common collocations include phrases like '乞丐的生活' (life of a beggar) or '乞丐文化' (beggar culture).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 乞丐 connects to broader themes of social issues and economic conditions. Students should focus on using it in discussions about poverty and social responsibility, enhancing their vocabulary around societal challenges.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 乞丐 are often seen on the streets, especially in urban areas, and their presence can spark discussions about social welfare and government support systems. This reflects a complex relationship with poverty and charity in society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 乞丐 with similar-sounding terms like 乞求 (qǐqiú), which means 'to beg for something'. Remember, 乞丐 specifically refers to a beggar, while 乞求 conveys the action of begging.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 乞丐
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Grammar Patterns of 乞丐
乞丐 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). 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
我们是不会资助那些____的。
We are not in the business of subsidising scroungers.
Example Sentences for 乞丐 (10)
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1
我们是不会资助那些乞丐的。
wǒ mén shì bù huì zī zhù nà xiē qǐ gài de。
We are not in the business of subsidising scroungers.
2
那个老乞丐蓬头垢面.
nà gè lǎo qǐ gài péng tóu gòu miàn.
The old beggar was dirty and unkempt.
3
那个乞丐躺在大街的阴面.
nà gè qǐ gài tǎng zài dà jiē de yīn miàn.
The beggar was lying the shady side of the street.
4
我给了这乞丐整整一千元.
wǒ gěi le zhè qǐ gài zhěng zhěng yī qiān yuán.
I gave the beggar as much as 1,000 yen.
5
丽莉受不了穷亲戚们那种乞丐般的苦日子.
lì lì shòu bù le qióng qīn qī mén nà zhǒng qǐ gài bān de kǔ rì zǐ.
Lily had no mind for the vagabond life of the poor relation.
When Tom gave him the money, the panhandler was surprised and seemed grateful.
10
那个乞丐是个瞎子, 照例拄着一根用得很旧了的手杖棍子.
nà gè qǐ gài shì gè xiā zǐ, , zhào lì zhǔ zháo yī gēn yòng dé hěn jiù le de shǒu zhàng gùn.
He was a blind begger, carrying the traditional battered cane.
Cultural Notes for 乞丐
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 乞丐 are often seen on the streets, especially in urban areas, and their presence can spark discussions about social welfare and government support systems. This reflects a complex relationship with poverty and charity in society.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, beggars may be perceived as individuals who have fallen on hard times, while in China, the presence of 乞丐 often elicits a more communal response, with differing views on responsibility for their welfare.
Frequently Asked Questions about 乞丐
乞丐 is generally considered neutral but can be viewed as informal, so it's best used in casual discussions.
It's challenging to use 乞丐 positively, as it typically describes a difficult life situation. However, discussions about societal improvements can frame it more positively.
A more formal term could be '流浪者' (liúlàngzhě), which means 'vagrant' or 'wanderer', but this too has its own nuances.
