qiàn

to owe

HSK 5 4 strokes
Stroke order animation for 欠

Words with this Character

Usage of (qiàn)

The character primarily means "to owe" in financial or abstract senses, such as owing money or owing a favor. It is commonly used in everyday conversation when discussing debts or obligations.

Besides owing, also expresses a lack or deficiency, often combined with (quē) as , meaning "to lack" or "to be deficient." This usage is frequent in formal or written contexts, such as reports or evaluations.

Additionally, can mean "to yawn," which is a more literal and physical action. This sense is less common but important to recognize in spoken language.

Common collocations:

  • (qiàn qián): to owe money
  • (qiànquē): to lack, to be deficient
  • (dǎ qiàn): to yawn

Notes:

  • When used to express owing money or favors, is often followed by the object owed.
  • is a fixed phrase and should be learned as a unit.
  • The yawn meaning is usually in the verb phrase .

Avoid confusing with similar characters like , which focuses more on "missing" or "lack" without the nuance of owing.

Example Sentences

我还欠你一笔钱,下个月一定还清。

Wǒ hái qiàn nǐ yī bǐ qián, xià gè yuè yídìng huán qīng.

I still owe you some money; I will definitely pay it back next month.

这份报告还欠缺一些重要的数据。

Zhè fèn bàogào hái qiànquē yīxiē zhòngyào de shùjù.

This report still lacks some important data.

他打了个欠,显得很困倦。

Tā dǎle gè qiàn, xiǎnde hěn kùnjuàn.

He yawned, looking very tired.