to shift, to move

JLPT N5 6 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Usage and Meaning

The character (qiān) primarily means "to move" or "to shift," often used in contexts involving relocation of people, companies, or data. It is a formal term commonly found in written Chinese, especially in official or business contexts.

Common Collocations

  • 迁移 (qiānyí): to migrate or relocate, often used for data, populations, or animals.
  • (qiānjū): to move residence.
  • 迁徙 (qiānxǐ): to migrate, especially for animals or people moving seasonally.

Usage Notes

When using , it often implies a significant or formal move rather than casual or temporary movement. It is more formal than (bān), which is used for moving homes or objects in everyday speech. is also used in compound words related to migration or relocation.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse with . is more colloquial and used for physical moving of objects or homes, while has a broader and more formal sense including abstract moves like data migration or organizational relocation.

Example Sentences

The company decided to move to a new office building.

He is preparing to relocate to another city because of work.

Be careful when migrating data to avoid losing important information.