What does "qin" mean?
Any of several traditional Chinese musical instruments, most commonly the seven-stringed instrument more specifically called the guqin.
Qin
/t͡ʃin/ name, noun
name, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Any of several traditional Chinese musical instruments, most commonly the seven-stringed instrument more specifically called the guqin.
- Grammar: qin is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: ch'in, ch'in dynasty, china, qin dynasty.
- Usage evidence: The Chinese emperor who oversaw the building of the Great Wall famously used his power to stop published information. Qin Shi Huang ordered the burning of thousands of books on subjects he wanted to keep from the people. He even had hundreds of scholars executed for refusing to give up their book collections.
How to use "qin"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "qin" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "qin" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "qin" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "qin" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "qin" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "ch'in" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "qin", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Any of several traditional Chinese musical instruments, most commonly the seven-stringed instrument more specifically called the guqin.
"... there was no longer anyone worth playing his qin for, so he broke his instrument and never played again. The guqin was also a means of expressing love."
- 2 the Chinese dynasty (from 246 BC to 206 BC) that established the first centralized imperial government and built much of the Great Wall wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 An ancient feudal state of China that existed between 778 and 207 BC. countable, uncountable
- 2 A county of Changzhi, Shanxi, China.
- 3 The first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BC. countable, uncountable
"The youth of China, deeply concerned with the future of their country, began to question everything and re-evaluate everything. What had been considered valuable became worthless, and what had been regarded as worthless became priceless. The more they examined, the more doubtful they became. This inquisitive approach shook the ancient political system, which had been handed down with little modification from the Chin Dynasty more than twenty centuries before. The new generation cried, "Democracy.""
- 4 A surname from Chinese. countable, uncountable
"Qin and Meng applied for permission to have a child from authorities in Huangshan city in eastern Anhui province, where her residency is registered, said the officer, who gave only his surname, also Qin."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The Chinese emperor who oversaw the building of the Great Wall famously used his power to stop published information. Qin Shi Huang ordered the burning of thousands of books on subjects he wanted to keep from the people. He even had hundreds of scholars executed for refusing to give up their book collections."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "qin"?
Common synonyms include: ch'in, ch'in dynasty, china, qin dynasty.
How do you use "qin" in a sentence?
The Chinese emperor who oversaw the building of the Great Wall famously used his power to stop published information. Qin Shi Huang ordered the burning of thousands of books on subjects he wanted to keep from the people. He even had hundreds of scholars executed for refusing to give up their book collections.
How do you pronounce "qin"?
Pronounced /t͡ʃin/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From the Hanyu Pinyin romanization of the Mandarin 琴 (qín).
Etymology 2
From the Hanyu Pinyin romanization of the Mandarin 秦 (Qín), from Middle Chinese (*dzin), from Old Chinese (*dzin).
Etymology 3
From the Hanyu Pinyin romanization of the Mandarin 沁 (Qìn).