虔 meaning and stroke order
Reverent, devout
How to write 虔, stroke by stroke
10 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 虔
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to act with reverence
- reverent
How 虔 is built
Components of the character.
Radical: 虍 (tiger), shared by 13 characters on this site.
How to remember 虔
虔 has the tiger head 虍 on top sheltering 文 (wén, writing or culture) below. Picture someone bowing before a fierce tiger spirit and reading sacred texts with deep respect, which is the feeling of reverence.
虔 is almost never used alone in modern Chinese. It appears mainly in the word 虔诚 (qiánchéng), which describes sincere religious faith or deep, devoted respect. Example: 她是一个虔诚的佛教徒。(Tā shì yí gè qiánchéng de Fójiàotú.) She is a devout Buddhist.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 虔 with 虎 (hǔ, tiger) or 虐 (nüè, cruel) because they share the 虍 top. Check the bottom part: 虔 has 文, 虎 has 几, and 虐 has a different shape.
Common words with 虔
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 虔诚 | qiánchéng | pious; devout | HSK 7-9 |
虔 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 虔
How many strokes are in 虔?
虔 is written with 10 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 虔 mean?
虔 (qián) means reverent, devout. A common word with it is 虔诚 (qiánchéng), meaning "pious; devout".
How do you pronounce 虔?
虔 is pronounced qián, in the second tone (rising).
What is the radical of 虔?
The radical of 虔 is 虍, which carries the idea of "tiger". Dictionaries list 虔 under this radical.
Is 虔 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 虔 is part of the HSK 7-9 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard.
Can 虔诚 be used for things other than religion?
Yes. It can describe any sincere, wholehearted devotion, such as 虔诚的心 (qiánchéng de xīn, a sincere heart) or a fan's devoted attitude. The tone stays serious and respectful.
What is the difference between 虔诚 and 真诚?
真诚 (zhēnchéng) means sincere or genuine in everyday dealings with people. 虔诚 adds a sense of reverence and worship, so it fits faith, prayer, or something held sacred.