How is 欠 pronounced?

欠 is pronounced “qiàn” in pinyin.

What HSK level is 欠?

欠 belongs to HSK 5 in the HSK 3.0 vocabulary.

How do you write 欠?

Follow the stroke-order animation above; 欠 is written using standard stroke order. Practice it in the writing trainer.

HSK 5verb

欠

qiàn

欠 (qiàn) means “to owe; to lack; (literary) to be deficient in; (bound form) yawn; to raise slightly (a part of one's body)”. It is an HSK 5 Chinese character in the HSK 3.0 vocabulary.

Stroke order

Practice writingUnlock HSK 5 required

Example

他欠了银行很多钱。

Tā qiàn le yínháng hěnduō qián.

He owes the bank a lot of money.

More HSK 5 vocabulary

HSK 5 →

哎āihey!; (interjection used to attract attention or to express surprise or disapprobation)唉āiinterjection or grunt of agreement or recognition (e.g. yes, it's me!); to sigh 爱护ài hùto cherish; to treasure; to take care of; to love and protect 爱惜ài xīto cherish; to treasure; to use sparingly 爱心ài xīncompassion; kindness; care for others; love; charity (bazaar, golf day etc); heart (the symbol ♥)安慰ān wèito comfort; to console 安装ān zhuāngto install; to erect; to fix; to mount; installation 岸ànvariant of 岸暗ànvariant of 暗熬夜áo yèto stay up late or all night 把握bǎ wòto grasp (also fig.); to seize; to hold; assurance; certainty; sure (of the outcome)摆bǎito arrange; to exhibit; to move to and fro; a pendulum

Frequently asked questions

What does 欠 mean?: 欠 (qiàn) means “to owe; to lack; (literary) to be deficient in; (bound form) yawn; to raise slightly (a part of one's body)”. It is an HSK 5 word.
How is 欠 pronounced?: 欠 is pronounced “qiàn” in pinyin.
What HSK level is 欠?: 欠 belongs to HSK 5 in the HSK 3.0 vocabulary.
How do you write 欠?: Follow the stroke-order animation above; 欠 is written using standard stroke order. Practice it in the writing trainer.

Updated: 2026-05-27