Chinese · Numbers & Time

qiān

Thousand

Beginnernumeral

Definition

The number one thousand.

Example

这个城市有几千年的历史。

This city has thousands of years of history.

Etymology

'千' (qiān) derives from ancient character representations in oracle bone script, symbolizing the concept of a thousand, and has remained stable throughout its historical evolution.

How & Where It’s Used

'千' is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, functioning in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in contexts involving financial matters or large quantities.

Watch “Thousand” pronunciation on YouTube
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