qin

Everyday

1. (a name) The Qin dynasty was the first family of emperors to join China into one country; its first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, built early parts of the Great Wall, made one system of writing, money and measures, and was buried with the Terracotta Army. tree →
2. (Mandarin, pinyin) «Qin» is a Chinese syllable; «qín» can mean a stringed instrument, like the «guqin», a kind of Chinese zither. In pinyin «q» sounds like «ch», so «Qin» sounds like «chin» to an English ear. tree →
3. (a name) Qin is also a Chinese family name. It is not an English word. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons about ancient China, the Qin dynasty was short but very important: it united warring states, standardised writing and measures, and ruled harshly. The word «China» may come from «Qin». The Terracotta Army of thousands of clay soldiers was found by farmers digging a well. In Mandarin lessons pupils learn that pinyin «q» is said like English «ch». Phrases: the Qin dynasty, Qin Shi Huang, the Qin emperor.

Examples

• The Qin dynasty united China for the first time. tree →
• Qin Shi Huang was buried with an army of clay soldiers. tree →
• Pinyin «Qin» is pronounced like «chin». tree →
• The name «China» may come from the Qin. tree →
• The Qin emperor made everyone use the same coins and writing. tree →
• The guqin is an old Chinese instrument with seven strings. tree →
• Farmers found the Terracotta Army of the Qin emperor while digging a well. tree →
• The Qin was followed by the Han dynasty. tree →

Note

A name, so it takes a capital Q: Qin. Not an English word, so do not use it as one. In pinyin «q» is not followed by «u» as in English (queen); it is a «ch» sound. Do not confuse with «Qing», the last Chinese dynasty, many centuries later.