(qiàn) - to owe; to lack; to raise slightly in Mandarin
qiànTraditional: 欠
Translation
to owe; to lack; to raise slightly
Word origin
A pictograph of a person with an open mouth exhaling, the original sense of yawning. It later took on the meanings of lacking and owing.
- Origin
- pictograph
- Root
- a person yawning with open mouth
Stroke order
欠
Examples
百。
He owes me a hundred yuan.
。
I owe you a favour.
篇章。
This article still lacks polish.
。
He raised himself slightly.
。
You owe nobody anything.
欠 (qiàn) means to owe, to lack, or to raise slightly. The owing sense is the most common in daily speech.
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欠: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "欠" (to owe; to lack; to raise slightly): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 23.