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March 24, 2026
窃(竊)qiè(qie4)
The character 窃 (qiè) primarily means 'to steal' or 'to secretly take something that doesn't belong to you.' It can also imply a sense of stealth or humility, especially when used in a humble context referring to oneself. You'll often encounter it in discussions surrounding theft or secretive actions.
Strokes9Radical穴Frequency#6608DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, discussions around theft are often tied to moral lessons about honesty and integrity, making 窃 a character that carries significant weight in literature and social discussions, particularly regarding trust.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sneaky cat (the radical 窗, which means window) trying to steal a fish from a bowl. The cat is trying to be stealthy, which connects to the meaning of 窃. The sound 'qiè' can remind you of 'quiet,' reinforcing the idea of stealth.
Meanings of 窃
qiè(qie4)
1to steal
2secretly
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 窃
窃Simplified
竊Traditional
9Strokes
穴Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#6608Frequency Rank
Podcast: 窃
Podcast: 窃
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AI Study Notes for 窃
Quick Contrast
盗 (dào) - use 窃 (qiè) when emphasizing stealth or humility in the act of stealing, whereas 盗 (dào) emphasizes the act of theft itself without those nuances.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sneaky cat (the radical 窗, which means window) trying to steal a fish from a bowl. The cat is trying to be stealthy, which connects to the meaning of 窃. The sound 'qiè' can remind you of 'quiet,' reinforcing the idea of stealth.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 窃 with other similar characters, such as 偷 (tōu), which also means 'to steal' but carries a more casual tone. 窃 is often used in more formal or literary contexts, so it’s suitable for written language rather than everyday conversation. Remember to use the correct tone when pronouncing it, as mispronouncing it can change its meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Although 窃 is not currently part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it is related to themes of theft and secrecy, which appear in HSK Level 3 and 4 vocabulary. Students should focus on recognizing this character in texts discussing crime or privacy.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, discussions around theft are often tied to moral lessons about honesty and integrity, making 窃 a character that carries significant weight in literature and social discussions, particularly regarding trust.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 窃 with 偷 (tōu) and incorrectly use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我窃了这本书' (wǒ qiè le zhè běn shū) instead of '我偷了这本书' (wǒ tōu le zhè běn shū) which is more appropriate in informal contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 窃
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Grammar Patterns of 窃
窃 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 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
把盗____艺术品看作是一种绅士犯罪的观念已经过时了。
The image of art theft as a gentleman's crime is outdated.
Five months ago she was acquitted on a shoplifting charge.
Cultural Notes for 窃
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, discussions around theft are often tied to moral lessons about honesty and integrity, making 窃 a character that carries significant weight in literature and social discussions, particularly regarding trust.
Word Family of 窃
Words Containing This Character19
盗窃dàoqièto steal盜竊
窃qièto steal竊
偷窃to steal偷竊
窃听器bug竊聽器
窃听to eavesdrop竊聽
窃取qièqǔto steal竊取
失窃to lose by theft失竊
窃贼thief竊賊
剽窃to plunder剽竊
行窃to steal行竊
扒窃to steal扒竊
窃喜to be secretly delighted竊喜
窃窃私语to whisper竊竊私語
窃笑to snigger竊笑
窃窃privately竊竊
窃据to usurp竊據
惯窃habitual thief慣竊
偷香窃玉secret illicit sex偷香竊玉
篡窃to usurp篡竊
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 盗窃 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 窃
It is pronounced as 'qiè' with a falling tone.
It's generally more formal and not commonly used in everyday speech; instead, you might use 偷 (tōu) for casual contexts.
You might encounter it in phrases discussing theft, like 窃取 (qièqǔ), which means 'to steal' or 'to embezzle'.
