千

• Pinyin: qiān
• Hanzi breakdown: 千 = 亻(simplified person stroke) + 十 (ten), representing a large number of tens

Meaning

Thousand; one thousand (1,000). A basic number used in counting, prices, and quantities.

The number 1,000. Used in many compounds: 千克 (kilogram), 千米 (kilometre). Also appears in idioms like 千方百计 (by every possible means) and 千千万万 (millions upon millions). In everyday life, commonly used for prices, distances, and populations.

Examples

1. 这件衣服要一千块。 This piece of clothing costs one thousand yuan.
2. 从这里到北京有一千多公里。 It is over a thousand kilometres from here to Beijing.
3. 他的学校有两千个学生。 His school has two thousand students.

Usage Guide

Context: numbers, prices, distances, quantities

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这本书三千块。(This book costs three thousand yuan.)
• 一千米等于一公里。(One thousand metres equals one kilometre.)

Don't Say

• 大数字不说十千 (Chinese uses 万 at 10,000, not like English which groups by thousands — don't say 十千 for 10,000; say 一万)

Origin & History

Originally depicted a person (人) with a mark, indicating a large number. Later standardised with the form resembling 亻(person) + 十 (ten), conceptually 'many tens.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal