All words ›Qipao
CultureHow to pronounce “Qipao”
旗袍qí páo
Literally: banner gown.
❌ What English speakers usually say
“kee-pow”
✅ What to say instead
chee-POW — both syllables rising
The shape of the word
Tap any syllable to hear it. The curve above each one is the tone you are aiming for.
Syllable by syllable
| Syllable | Tone | Practise it |
|---|---|---|
| 旗 qí | Second tone — rising | qi — open drill → |
| 袍 páo | Second tone — rising | pao — open drill → |
Questions people ask
How do you pronounce Qipao?
Qipao is 旗袍, qí páo — chee-POW — both syllables rising. Literally it means banner gown.
What is the most common mistake with Qipao?
“kee-pow”
More words people mispronounce
Can you actually say it?
Reading a respelling is not the same as producing the tones. The free 2-minute check listens to you and shows which syllables land wrong.