青 (qīng) - Blue & green

青Tone 1

qīng ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 青

器情

青 · qīng

Blue;

green;

young;

youthful;

fresh;

nature;

spring;

also refers to the color of nature and youth.

Bluegreenyoung

Usage highlights

YouthSpringtimeBlue skyGreen vegetablesYoung manInexperienced

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 老— old
  • 黄— yellow (as in aged)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The sky is blue (青天).
  • Green vegetables (青菜).
  • Youthful years (青年).
  • Spring season (青春).

Collocations

  • Youth(青年)
  • Springtime(青春)
  • Blue sky(青天)
  • Green vegetables(青菜)
  • Young man(青年男子)
  • Inexperienced(青涩)

Idioms

  • Green mountains and blue waters(青山绿水)
  • Preserve one's integrity(留得青山在，不怕没柴烧)
  • Blue comes from indigo but is bluer than indigo(青出于蓝而胜于蓝)
  • Green plums and bamboo horse(青梅竹马)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese culture, 青 represents the color of nature, symbolizing youth, vitality, and spring.
  • It is one of the five cardinal colors in Chinese philosophy, associated with the east and the wood element.
  • 青 often appears in poetry and literature to depict natural scenery and youthful beauty.

FAQ