Chinese Term:
Pinyin:
气（氣／炁）
Qì
Recommended English:
Qi (recommended in philosophical and classical contexts)
Vital Life Force (when referring to life-sustaining activity)
Vital Breath (when referring to breathing and vitality)
Life Principle (when referring to the fundamental principle of life)
Atmosphere (only when referring to natural air or atmospheric conditions)
Category:
Chinese Classics
English Interpretation:
Qì (气) is one of the most fundamental concepts in Chinese philosophy, Daoism, and traditional Chinese medicine. It should not be understood simply as energy, as the original concept encompasses a much broader understanding of nature, life, and human existence.
Traditional Chinese thought distinguishes three forms of the character, each emphasizing a different meaning.
炁 is the ancient Daoist form, referring to the state of inner stillness and the subtle life principle cultivated through spiritual practice.
气 is the ancient form referring to the natural atmosphere or the Qi of Heaven and Earth.
氣, the form commonly used today, refers to the vital force associated with breathing, life processes, and the functioning of the human body. In traditional Chinese medicine, it describes the dynamic activity that sustains physiological functions and maintains balance throughout the body.
Rather than representing a measurable physical force, Qi describes the dynamic processes through which nature and life function. Its meaning should always be understood within its textual and historical context.
中文释义：
气（氣／炁）是中国哲学、道家思想以及中医学中最重要的核心概念之一，但不能简单理解为现代所说的“能量”。
中国古代关于“气”大致有三种不同写法，也代表三种不同的意义。
“炁”是古代道家常用的写法，强调修炼中所达到的清静无为、息心无虑的境界，是一种超越普通呼吸的生命状态。
“气”是古文字形，主要表示天地自然之气，即自然界的大气与天地运行之气。
“氣”是后世通用的写法，主要表示人体生命活动之气，包括呼吸、生理功能以及中医学所说维持生命运行的气机。
因此，“气”并不是一种可以简单测量的物质或能量，而是中国经典用来描述自然、生命以及人体运行规律的重要概念。
理解“气”的含义，应结合具体经典及其历史背景，而不宜作单一而固定的解释。
Translation Note | 翻译说明：
There is no single English equivalent for Qi.
Although Energy is the most common modern translation, it does not accurately represent the original concept. In classical Chinese, Qi may refer to the atmosphere of nature, breath, vital activity, or the fundamental life principle described in Chinese philosophy, Daoism, and traditional Chinese medicine.
Qi should therefore not be confused with physical energy, electricity, biological energy, or any measurable force in modern science.
IAK therefore recommends selecting the English translation according to context rather than adopting a single fixed equivalent. In philosophical discussions or when preserving the original meaning of classical Chinese texts, retaining the transliterated form Qi is often the most accurate choice.
“气”没有唯一对应的英文词汇。
虽然 Energy（能量） 是现代最常见的译法，但并不能准确表达中国经典中的“气”。根据不同语境，“气”可以表示天地自然之气、呼吸之气、生命活动之气，以及中国哲学、道家与中医学中所描述的生命运行原理。
因此，“气”不应简单等同于现代科学中的能量、电能、生物能或其他可测量的物理概念。
IAK 建议根据具体语境选择相应的英文译法，而不采用固定的单一对应词。在哲学讨论或需要保留中国经典原意的场合，可直接采用音译 Qi，以更准确地表达这一概念。
Classical Source:
Dao De Jing《道德经》
万物负阴而抱阳，冲气以为和。
All things embrace Yin and Yang and achieve harmony through the harmonious interaction of Qi.
Zhuangzi《庄子》
通天下一气耳。
All things under Heaven are connected through one continuous Qi.
Huangdi Neijing《黄帝内经》— The Nine Changes of Qi (九气)
帝曰：善。余知百病生于气也，怒则气上，喜则气缓，悲则气消，恐则气下，寒则气收，炅则气泄，惊则气乱，劳则气耗，思则气结。
The Huangdi Neijing describes the "Nine Changes of Qi" (九气), explaining how emotions and physical conditions influence the movement of Qi:
Anger causes Qi to rise.
Joy relaxes Qi.
Sadness weakens Qi.
Fear causes Qi to descend.
Cold contracts Qi.
Heat disperses Qi.
Shock disorders Qi.
Overwork depletes Qi.
Excessive thinking or worry causes Qi to stagnate.
Related Terms:
道
阴阳
五行
精
神
经络
太极
黄帝内经