Qipao Pronunciation: How to Pronounce Qipao?

You have discovered the qipao and you would like to know how to pronounce it well. You are wishing to buy a Chinese dress but you do not know how to say qipao.

You are at the right place, and it is time to learn everything about this word! Our boutique is specialized in traditional qipao dresses and we will be glad to help you master this new Chinese term.

Qipao is a tricky word to say correctly for non-Chinese speakers. The version varies depending on the Mandarin or Cantonese dialect. To simplify, you can pronounce qipao like “chee-pao” in English.

In this article, we are going to discover:

• Useful tips about the qipao pronunciation
• How to say qipao in different Chinese dialects
• What are the synonyms of the word qipao

Pronouncing this beautiful word will have no more secret for you. You will be able to wear your dress and speak about it in front of Chinese speakers without hesitation.

Let’s dive into this topic together!

Qipao pronunciation: 3 things you must know

Before starting, we would like to share with you 3 useful things to keep in mind about the word qipao. They will help you to feel better about not knowing how to pronounce it.

First of all, it is absolutely normal not to know how to pronounce the word qipao. There might be even some Americans of Chinese descent who are not very familiar with its phonetics after being born and living in the US for all their life.

Secondly, even if you try to say qipao and mispronounce it, Chinese speakers will still be able to understand you. They will certainly appreciate your effort as it’s not your native language. So if you ever make a mistake there is nothing to be ashamed of.

To finish, the qipao dress is becoming more and more popular all over the globe. Therefore, right now is the perfect moment to learn how to say it. This information can be very helpful in different occasions and situations.

What is a qipao dress?

Now that you know those 3 essential things, let’s make sure that you fully understand what is a qipao dress. This will make it easier for you to memorize its pronunciation.

Qipao is a traditional Chinese dress whose neckline is crafted with a high mandarin collar and knotted Pankou buttons. This classic qipao dress has a body-hugging silhouette and side slits that add a touch of femininity to the female garment.

Over the centuries qipao has become an iconic national dress that symbolizes Chinese culture and heritage. Traditionally the dress was tailored with high-quality materials like silk, brocade, velvet, and satin. Qipao gowns can feature Chinese symbolic creatures like dragons, phoenixes, and tigers which hold a deep meaning in the culture.

Qipao dress is typically worn for Chinese weddings, traditional tea ceremonies, festivals, and celebrations. Nowadays this female garment in modern style is often worn for casual and everyday life.

How to pronounce qipao in English?

The qipao pronunciation can be a bit challenging for those who are not familiar with the Chinese language. Most commonly people make a mistake by reading the word directly as “kipao” as it’s written in English.

The accurate way to pronounce qipao, or Mandarin gown, is "chi pao," with emphasis on the first syllable. The first part, "Qi," should sound like "chee" with a brief "ee" sound, like how "cheese" is pronounced without the final "s" sound.

The second syllable, "Pao," is articulated as "pow" with a short "ow" sound, similar to how "powder" is pronounced without the ending "der" sound. This method will help you to have the proper pronunciation of qipao and to memorize this word easily.

What is the Chinese pronunciation of qipao?

Now that you know the simple way to pronounce it as an English speaker. Let’s dive into a more detailed explanation that will help you to say qipao like a local Chinese.

Qipao phonetic pronunciation

The phonetic pronunciation of qipao is /ˈtʃiːpaʊ/ in International Phonetic Alphabet. Let’s break down each of the symbols and how they correspond to the sounds in English:

/ˈtʃiː/: This part is the first syllabus of "qipao." It is pronounced as "chee," where:

• /ˈtʃ/: The symbol "ˈtʃ" represents the sound "tch," as in “China”.
• /iː/: The symbol "iː" represents the long "ee" sound, similar to the sound in "tree".

/paʊ/: This piece defines the final sound of "qipao." It is pronounced as "pow," where:

• /p/: The symbol "p" represents the sound "p," as in "power" or “pie”.
• /aʊ/: The symbol "aʊ" represents the "ow" sound, as in "how" or “mouth”.

This practical information will help you to pronounce the qipao dress effortlessly.

Qipao pronunciation in Mandarin

Did you know that the term "qipao" (旗袍) has its origins in the Mandarin Chinese language? It is a combination of two Chinese characters: "qi" (旗) and "pao" (袍).

"Qi" (旗): The character "qi" means "banner" or "flag." In historical contexts, banners and flags were used to represent different coalitions or groups. Over time, the term "qi" came to symbolize a distinctive dress style associated with Manchurians who ruled China during the Qing dynasty.

"Pao" (袍): The character "pao" means "robe" or "gown." In the context of the qipao, "pao" refers to the style of the dress, which is a form-fitting gown with a high collar and a straight, narrow silhouette.

Together, the term "qipao" can be translated as "banner gown" or "flag robe," indicating its connection to a distinct style of clothing that emerged during the last imperial dynasty in China. Later the qipao dress evolved from earlier Manchu-style garments into the elegant and iconic dress that is recognized today.

Finally, if you wonder how to say qipao in Mandarin, it is absolutely the same way as we discussed it in English previously.

Qipao pronunciation in Cantonese

Qipao is not a word pronounced in Cantonese. As it is a Mandarin word, Cantonese speakers use a different word instead of qipao: Cheongsam.

In Cantonese, cheongsam is a more common and well-known word that is used to represent qipao. Cheongsam and qipao can be used interchangeably as they define the same type of dress. However, in Cantonese-speaking regions of China, the word cheongsam is used more often for a female dress with a Mandarin collar and fitted silhouette.

The term cheongsam has Cantonese origins and can be pronounced as Chi-Eng-Sum. The word "cheongsam" (長衫) is formed by combining "chieng" (長) meaning "long" and "sam" (衫) meaning "shirt" or "clothing."

5 most common ways to misspell Qipao

After learning how to correctly pronounce qipao, it’s easier to understand why this word can be spelled incorrectly. Since some people might not be very familiar with the transliteration of the word qipao, this term is often misspelled.

Some of the most common ways to misspell qipao include:

• chipow
• qipow
• keypao
• kipao
• qipaow

If you are really interested in Chinese culture make sure you write this word starting with the letter Q.

How to say qipao in different words?

By reading this article you have already become an expert on pronouncing and writing qipao correctly. You might be wondering what are the different ways to say qipao. If you would like to diversify your vocabulary, you can use qipao synonyms.

Nowadays the term cheongsam in Cantonese is associated with female qipao dress. Originally cheongsam is a word that means a long dress for both men and women with Mandarin collar. This term originated from the Cantonese language and is commonly used in Hong Kong and other Cantonese-speaking areas. Learn more about the qipao and cheongsam difference.

Another way to say qipao is to call it a Mandarin gown. This term highlights the garment's connection to Chinese culture and its fascinating history. Mandarin gown is considered one of the national symbols of China and its national traditional attire.

To conclude, let us share with you what is the easiest synonym for qipao dress. You can also call it a Chinese dress, which is a more informal and casual way to mention qipao. However, when you mention it you should give additional details, as China has various traditional Chinese attires besides qipao.

Pronounce and wear qipao like a true Chinese

In this article, you have learned how to pronounce qipao like local Chinese. You are now capable of using this word fluently in your future conversations without feeling ashamed or scared of mispronouncing it.

We hope that our explanations helped you have a better understanding of the qipao dress. A special word that describes an elegant and traditional Chinese garment for women.

If you want to go further and wear a qipao dress, we invite you to explore our large collection of beautiful Asian dresses. You will fall in love with their graceful design and feminine silhouette.

Click on this link to discover our collections of qipao dresses. We will be glad to assist you in finding the Chinese gown of your dreams.