qing

Everyday

1. (a name) The Qing was the last dynasty of emperors to rule China, founded by the Manchu people; it ended when China became a republic. tree →
2. (Mandarin, pinyin) «Qing» is a Mandarin syllable whose meaning depends on its tone: «qǐng» = please or to invite, «qīng» = clear or light, «qíng» = feeling or sunny (weather). In pinyin, «q» sounds like English «ch», so «qing» sounds like «ching». It is not an English word. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons the Qing dynasty is the time of China's last emperors, the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Opium Wars with Britain and the Boxer Rebellion; the last emperor, Puyi, became emperor as a small child. In Mandarin lessons, «qǐng» (please) is a polite word: «qǐng zuò» = please sit down, «qǐng wèn» = may I ask. «Qingming» is a festival when families sweep their ancestors' graves. Phrases: «the Qing dynasty», «qǐng wèn», «Qingming Festival».

Examples

• The Qing dynasty was the last royal dynasty of China. tree →
• Qing emperors lived in the Forbidden City. tree →
• The last Qing emperor was only a little boy when he took the throne. tree →
• In Mandarin, «qǐng» means «please». tree →
• «Qǐng wèn» means «excuse me, may I ask?» tree →
• In pinyin, «q» sounds like «ch», so «Qing» sounds like «Ching». tree →
• Families sweep graves at the Qingming Festival. tree →

Note

Capital Q for the dynasty: «the Qing dynasty» (older spelling «Ch'ing»). In pinyin, tone marks change the meaning, and the q is never followed by a u as in English. Not an English word.