light (in weight); gentle
HSK level
轻 is written with 9 strokes. The animation replays automatically.
轻 (qīng) is an adjective meaning 'light in weight,' the direct opposite of 重 (zhòng, heavy).
Beyond physical weight it extends to 'gentle,' 'soft,' 'slight,' and 'minor': 轻轻地 (gently), 病得不轻 (seriously ill — literally 'not lightly'), 轻音乐 (light music). As a verb-like element it can mean 'to make light of / belittle,' as in 轻视 (to look down on).
English 'light' splits into two Chinese words — 轻 for weight and 轻松/明亮 for other senses — so 轻 never means 'light' as in brightness (that is 亮/明) or 'light' as in pale color. A key learner point: doubled as 轻轻 it becomes an adverb meaning 'gently, softly,' describing how an action is done delicately.
Note: Neutral in all uses. As an adverb ('gently, lightly') it is common in both speech and writing.
这个箱子很轻，我一个人就能拿。
Zhège xiāngzi hěn qīng, wǒ yī gè rén jiù néng ná.
This box is very light — I can carry it by myself.
spoken
她轻轻地关上了门。
Tā qīngqīng de guānshàngle mén.
She gently closed the door.
neutral
多运动可以减轻压力。
Duō yùndòng kěyǐ jiǎnqīng yālì.
Exercising more can reduce stress.
neutral
不要轻视任何一个对手。
Bùyào qīngshì rènhé yī gè duìshǒu.
Don't look down on any opponent.
written
淡 means 'light / weak / bland' for flavors, colors, and concentrations (淡茶 weak tea). 轻 is about weight or gentleness of force, not taste or color.
清 (with the water radical) means 'clear / clean / pure,' as in 清水 (clear water) and 清楚 (clear/distinct). 轻 (with the vehicle radical) means 'light in weight.' Same sound, different characters.
青 means 'green/blue-green' or 'youthful,' as in 青年 (youth). 轻 is 'light in weight'; note 轻 contains 青 as a phonetic component.
Acquire it by listening
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