TongTong
Sign in

可亲 (kě qīn) — kindly, amiable

Definition

可亲 (kěqīn) means warm and approachable in manner — kind in a way that puts people at ease. Often describes someone's demeanor or smile, more literary than 和蔼.

adjective
kindlyamiable

Examples

  • 可亲。
    Zhè wèi lǎo shī fēi cháng kě qīn.
    This teacher is very kind and amiable.
  • 可亲，。
    Tā duì rén hěn kě qīn, dà jiā dōu hěn xǐ huan tā.
    She is very amiable to people, and everyone likes her.
  • 可亲。
    Tā de xiào róng ràng rén gǎn dào kě qīn.
    His smile makes people feel warmth and amiability.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

可kěcan be
亲qīnclose

可 suggests can be or worthy of, and 亲 suggests closeness; together they describe someone easy to feel close to.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
丂
丂kǎo可kě
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

可 pairs 口 (mouth) with 丂 as a sound part; it is tied to air from the mouth, perhaps singing.

Open 可 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 親; 亲 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
見見jiànsee
Sound part声符shēngfú
辛
辛xīn親qīn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 親 uses 見 (see) for sense and 辛 (a chisel) for sound; the simplified 亲 is a shorthand and its parts are not the historical components.

Open 亲 →
Appears in
Personality & Traits

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.