琦 (qí) — fine jade; excellent (used in literary compounds and names)
Definition
A literary bound form meaning 'fine jade' or 'outstanding', used almost only in names (王琦) and literary compounds like 琦行 ('noble conduct'). Learners will rarely produce it, but should recognize it in names and classical-style writing.
bound form
fine jadeexcellent (used in literary compounds and names)
Easily confused
- 埼qílook-alikeheadland, promontory (a narrow piece of land that juts out into the sea)
- 其qísound-alike(possessive pronoun: his, her, its, their (used before a noun)
- 椅yīlook-alike(bound form) chair (used in compounds like 椅子, 轮椅)
- 骑qísound-aliketo ride (a horse, bike, or other vehicle one sits astride)
- 倚yǐlook-aliketo lean on (physically)
- 齐qísound-alike(adjective) neat, even, uniform
Examples
- 琦。Tā de míng zì lǐ yǒu yí gè qí zì.His name contains the character 'qi'.
- ，琦，。Tā xìng wáng, míng qí, yù yì měi yù.His surname is Wang, given name Qi, implying fine jade.
- 琦。Tā de qí xíng lìng rén jìng pèi.His excellent conduct is admirable.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
The left part 玉 shows jade, and the right part 奇 gives the sound, forming 琦, a word for fine jade.
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