气 (qì) - air & gas

气Tone 4

qì ｜ 4 strokes ｜ radical: 气

七器

气 · qì

air;

gas;

vapor;

breath;

spirit;

energy;

anger;

atmosphere;

meteorological phenomenon;

vital energy (qi in traditional Chinese philosophy and medicine).

airgasvapor

Usage highlights

airweatherbreathcouragespiritvital energy

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 滞— stagnation (opposite of flowing qi)
  • 郁— depression (opposite of free-flowing qi)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The air is fresh (空气新鲜).
  • He is angry (他生气了).
  • The weather is good (天气很好).
  • Practicing qigong to cultivate energy (练气功).

Collocations

  • air(空气)
  • weather(天气)
  • breath(呼吸气)
  • courage(勇气)
  • spirit(精神气)
  • vital energy(元气)

Idioms

  • Full of vigor and vitality(神气活现)
  • Breathing one's last(咽气)
  • Angry and unable to speak(气急败坏)
  • High-spirited and vigorous(意气风发)
  • To swallow one's anger(忍气吞声)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Central concept in traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy, representing the vital energy flowing through the body.
  • In Daoist thought, qi is the fundamental substance of the universe that sustains life.
  • Considered one of the Three Treasures in Chinese medicine along with jing (essence) and shen (spirit).

FAQ