漆

• Pinyin: qī
• Hanzi breakdown: 漆 = 氵 + 木 + 氺 (water + wood + water — sap from the lacquer tree)

Meaning

Lacquer; paint; varnish; to paint or lacquer. Refers to the coating material and the action of applying it to surfaces.

Traditional Chinese lacquer (大漆) is a natural resin with a long cultural history used in lacquerware (漆器). Modern usage extends to all paints: 油漆 (oil paint), 喷漆 (spray paint). Also used in idioms like 漆黑一片 (pitch black).

Examples

1. 这件明代的漆器经过数百年岁月的洗礼，依然光亮如新，令人叹为观止。 This Ming-dynasty lacquerware has weathered hundreds of years and is still as glossy as new—truly astonishing.
2. 工人们正在给老旧的围栏重新刷漆，为即将到来的节日做准备。 The workers are repainting the old fence, getting ready for the upcoming holiday.
3. 夜幕降临后，整个村庄漆黑一片，只有远处几盏微弱的灯火闪烁。 After night falls, the entire village is pitch-black, with only a few faint lights flickering in the distance.

Usage Guide

Context: crafts, construction, art, decoration

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 传统大漆工艺需要经过数十道繁复的工序，每一步都要求匠人具备精湛的技艺和极大的耐心。(Traditional lacquer craftsmanship requires dozens of complicated procedures, and each step demands that the craftsman possesses exquisite skills and great patience.)
• 墙面的漆已经斑驳脱落，是时候请专业人员来重新粉刷翻新了。(The paint on the wall has become mottled and is peeling off; it is time to hire professionals to repaint and renovate.)

Don't Say

• 漆成红的颜色 — redundant; use 漆成红色 or 刷成红色 instead

Origin & History

漆 = 氵 + 桼 (water + lacquer tree — sap from the lacquer tree)

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal