旗 (qí) - Flag — a piece of cloth or similar & banner

旗Tone 2

qí ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

七器

旗 · qí

Flag — a piece of cloth or similar material, typically oblong or square, attachable by one edge to a pole or rope and used as the symbol or emblem of a country or institution or as a decoration during festivities;

banner;

standard.

Flag — a piece of cloth or similarbannerstandard.

Usage highlights

National flagRed flagFlag raising ceremonyFlagpoleBannerRegimental flag

Synonyms

  • 帜— banner, flag
  • 幡— pennant, streamer

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The national flag of China(国旗)
  • Red flags were waving in the wind(红旗)
  • The army carried its regimental flag(军旗)
  • They raised the victory flag(胜利的旗帜)

Collocations

  • National flag(国旗)
  • Red flag(红旗)
  • Flag raising ceremony(升旗仪式)
  • Flagpole(旗杆)
  • Banner(旗帜)
  • Regimental flag(军旗)

Idioms

  • To raise high the banner of righteousness(大张旗鼓)
  • To lower one's flag and surrender(偃旗息鼓)
  • To change flags and surrender(易帜)
  • To wave flags and shout(摇旗呐喊)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Flags have been used in Chinese military and ceremonial contexts for thousands of years, dating back to ancient dynasties.
  • In imperial China, different flags represented different military units, regions, and official ranks.
  • The character appears in many military-related terms and idioms, reflecting its historical importance in warfare and organization.

FAQ