What Really Is Qi in TCM? Let’s Clear the Air Author: Keith Wong If you’ve ever dipped a toe into Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), you’ve probably heard Qi ( 气 ) described as some mystical "life force energy" flowing through invisible meridians. While that makes for great movie plots, it’s a massive oversimplification —and frankly, it’s holding TCM back. The truth? Qi isn’t one vague "energy." It’s a multilayered concept with precise applications in TCM, and its meaning shifts depending on context. Think of it like the word "water": it could mean a raindrop, a river, or a biochemical reaction—same term, totally different specifics. Qi Isn’t Just "Energy" (And Here’s Why That Matters) In Chinese, Qi is almost always paired with another word to define its role. For example: Zong Qi ( 宗气 ) = "Gathering Qi" (think: respiratory/circulatory function) Wei Qi ( 卫气 ) = "Defensive Qi...