ㄑ = q

ㄑ is an initial: the consonant at the start of a syllable. In pinyin it is written q. It is aspirated: it has a strong puff of air.

Pinyin qIPA /tɕʰ/Initial · Palatals1 strokeName ㄑㄧ

How to say it

Like ㄐ with a strong puff of air, close to ch in “cheap”. Pairs only with ㄧ and ㄩ.

Do not mix up

ㄑ keeps the tongue flat and only pairs with ㄧ or ㄩ. ㄔ curls the tongue back. See ㄔ (ch) →

Stroke order, step by step

Stroke order from Taiwan’s Ministry of Education. The dot shows where the new stroke starts.

Stroke 1

去

ㄑㄩˋ

qù · go; leave · TOCFL Novice 1

氣

ㄑㄧˋ

qì · air; gas

七

ㄑㄧ

qī · seven · TOCFL Novice 1

千

ㄑㄧㄢ

qiān · thousand; a large but unspecified number · TOCFL Novice 1

以前

ㄧˇ ㄑㄧㄢˊ

yǐ qián · before; formerly · TOCFL Novice 1

請問

ㄑㄧㄥˇ ㄨㄣˋ

qǐng wèn · Excuse me; May I ask · TOCFL Novice 1

Zhuyin Pro teaches ㄑ with sound, mouth diagrams, tracing and real words. Then it reminds you before you forget.