Learn a Chinese Character - 欠 (Qiàn) - Owe; Lack

1. 基本信息 (Character Basics)

部首: 欠 (Radical: 欠, related to yawning)

笔画数: 4 (Number of strokes: 4)

结构分解: 象形字，像人张着嘴打哈欠的样子，本义指打哈欠，后引申为缺少、亏欠。(A pictographic character, resembling a person yawning. Originally meant yawning, extended to mean lack or owe.)

笔顺:

2. 发音 (Pronunciation)

拼音: Qiàn (Fourth tone)

3. 含义 (Meaning)

“欠”主要表示缺少（如“欠缺”）或债务未还（如“欠债”），也可指身体动作（如“欠身”表示稍微起身）。("欠" mainly means lack (e.g., "欠缺" - lack) or owe debt (e.g., "欠债" - owe), also refers to a slight body movement (e.g., "欠身" - lean forward).)

4. 常用词汇 (Common Words)

• 欠缺 (qiàn quē) Lack
• 欠债 (qiàn zhài) Owe debt
• 亏欠 (qiàn kuī) Be in debt to
• 欠身 (qiàn shēn) Lean forward

5. 语法与用法 (Grammar & Usage)

“欠”通常作动词使用（如“欠钱”），可带宾语（如“欠人情”），也可与其他字组合成形容词（如“欠缺的”）。("欠" is usually used as a verb (e.g., "欠钱" - owe money), can take an object (e.g., "欠人情" - owe a favor), or form adjectives (e.g., "欠缺的" - lacking).)

6. 文化背景 (Cultural Background)

“欠”在古代文献中多与“缺”连用（如《史记》“万事俱备，只欠东风”），强调关键要素的缺失；现代社会中“欠债还钱”是基本信用准则，体现契约精神。("欠" is often used with "缺" in ancient texts (e.g., "万事俱备，只欠东风" - everything is ready except the east wind). Modern "欠债还钱" (repay debts) reflects credit ethics.)

7. 例句 (Example Sentence)

8. 记忆技巧 (Memory Tips)

联想“欠”的形状：像人张着嘴打哈欠，需要“缺少”能量，所以记忆为“缺少、亏欠的qiàn”。(Associate "欠" with the shape of a yawning person needing energy, to remember "lack/owe (Qiàn)".)