欺 meaning and stroke order
To cheat, to double-cross, to deceive
How to write 欺, stroke by stroke
12 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 欺
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to take unfair advantage of
- to deceive
- to cheat
How 欺 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Lack.
欠 gives the meaning and 其 hints at the sound.
Radical: 欠 (to lack), shared by 28 characters on this site.
How to remember 欺
欺 is pictophonetic: 其 (qí) on the left gives the sound, and 欠 (qiàn, lack) on the right gives the meaning. Picture someone who lacks honesty, so they cheat and take advantage of others.
欺 rarely stands alone in modern speech. It usually appears in words like 欺负 (qīfu, to bully) and 欺骗 (qīpiàn, to deceive). Example: 别欺负弟弟。(Bié qīfu dìdi.) Don't bully your little brother.
Common mistake: Learners often read 欺 as qí because of the 其 component, but it is first tone, qī. Also, in 欺负 the second syllable is usually said in the neutral tone, qīfu, not qīfù.
Common words with 欺
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
欺 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 欺
How many strokes are in 欺?
欺 is written with 12 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 欺 mean?
欺 (qī) means to cheat, to double-cross, to deceive. A common word with it is 欺负 (qīfu), meaning "to bully".
How do you pronounce 欺?
欺 is pronounced qī, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 欺?
The radical of 欺 is 欠, which carries the idea of "to lack". Dictionaries list 欺 under this radical.
Is 欺 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 欺 is part of the HSK 6 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 欺负 and 欺骗?
欺负 (qīfu) means to bully or pick on someone weaker. 欺骗 (qīpiàn) means to deceive or lie to someone. One is about power and the other is about dishonesty.
What does the idiom 自欺欺人 mean?
自欺欺人 (zìqīqīrén) means to fool yourself as well as others. It describes someone who believes their own lies or refuses to face the truth.