气球
qìqiú
The Chinese word for balloon is 气球 (qìqiú).
气球 is used to refer to a child’s toy balloon as well as the large hot air balloons used for flight.
Meaning: child’s toy (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 气 (qì), meaning gas or air and 球 (qiú), meaning ball or sphere.
Which one should you use?
While 气球 is the standard term, 气球儿 is an informal variation used in daily conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
qìqiú
Did you know?
- The word 气 (qì) in 气球 refers to the same vital energy or 'life force' found in the practice of Tai Chi and Qigong.
- While 气球 means balloon, the word 气 can also mean 'anger' or 'temper' depending on the context.
- The character 气 is a pictograph that originally represented steam or clouds rising from the earth.
Examples in context
- 我给你买了一个气球。I bought you a balloon.
- 我喜欢那个魔法气球。I like that magical balloon.
- 我给你带来了一个气球儿。I brought you a balloon.
- 商店里有很多红色的气球。Shāngdiàn lǐ yǒu hěnduō hóngsè de qìqiú.There are many red balloons in the store.
- 那个孩子拿着一个气球。Nàge háizi názhe yīgè qìqiú.That child is holding a balloon.
- 我不小心弄破了气球。Wǒ bù xiǎoxīn nòng pò le qìqiú.I accidentally popped the balloon.
Example conversation
Wei and Jiayi are at a children's birthday party.
- 伟 Wei你想买个气球吗？Nǐ xiǎng mǎi gè qìqiú ma?Do you want to buy a balloon?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我想买那个蓝色的。Wǒ xiǎng mǎi nàge lánsè de.I want to buy that blue one.
- 伟 Wei这个蓝色的气球很漂亮。Zhège lánsè de qìqiú hěn piàoliang.This blue balloon is very beautiful.
- 佳怡 Jiayi对，我也觉得很好看。Duì, wǒ yě juéde hěn hǎokàn.Yes, I also think it looks great.
