Here's a breakdown of the characters:
* 旗 (qí) - means "flag" or "banner"
* 袍 (páo) - means "robe" or "gown"
However, the term "qipao" is not commonly used in modern Chinese. It is more often referred to as 长衫 (chángshān), which means "long gown," or simply 旗袍 (qípáo), which directly translates to "flag dress."
The qipao is a traditional Chinese garment, but its name refers to its history and origin rather than its function. It originated from the Manchu bannermen's clothing during the Qing Dynasty, and the term "flag" comes from the Manchu banners (flags) that were used to categorize the bannermen.