Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
垸 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
垸yuàndike, embankmentng, 10 strokes, radical 土
yuàn(yuan4)yuan T4
  1. 1dike, embankment
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

垸yuàn(yuan4)

The character 垸 (yuàn) refers to a dike or embankment, which is a structure built to hold back water or to prevent flooding. It is commonly used in contexts related to agriculture, irrigation, and flood management, particularly in rural areas of China where water control is crucial for farming.

Strokes10Radical土
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the construction and maintenance of dikes and embankments are vital for agriculture, especially in regions prone to flooding. The historical reliance on such structures reflects the importance of water management in sustaining rural communities.

Memory tip

Imagine a large 'yawn' (sounds like 'yuàn') as a farmer rests beside an embankment. The 'yawn' represents the wide, open space of the dike that protects the land from flooding, with the character 垸 visually resembling a mound of earth.

Meanings of 垸

yuàn(yuan4)
1dike, embankment
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 垸 means.

About 垸

垸Simplified
10Strokes
土Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 垸

JasonAmy

Podcast: 垸

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 垸

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 垸 with similar characters like 堤 (dī), which also means embankment but refers specifically to a smaller, less formal structure. 垸 tends to be used in more formal or technical contexts, especially in rural settings.

HSK Study Tips

Though 垸 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance your comprehension of agricultural and environmental discussions in Mandarin. Focus on its usage with other related terms in water management, such as 水 (shuǐ, water) and 农业 (nóngyè, agriculture).

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes mix up 垸 with other similar characters like 境 (jìng, boundary) or 堤 (dī, levee), leading to misunderstandings. Ensure you practice using 垸 specifically in the context of water management.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 垸

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 垸 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 垸 to You

Let me explain 垸 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 垸 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 垸?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 垸 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 垸

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

earth

Semantic (meaning)土
+
Phonetic (sound)完
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

垸 = 土 + 完. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 垸

IDS Structure⿰土完
垸Full character
=
土Tu3
left
完wan2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 垸?

How to say dike, embankment in Chinese

“dike, embankment” in Chinese is垸yuàn

The character 垸 (yuàn) refers to a dike or embankment, which is a structure built to hold back water or to prevent flooding. It is commonly used in contexts related to agriculture, irrigation, and flood management, particularly in rural areas of China where water control is crucial for farming.

When to use 垸

Learners often confuse 垸 with similar characters like 堤 (dī), which also means embankment but refers specifically to a smaller, less formal structure. 垸 tends to be used in more formal or technical contexts, especially in rural settings.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes mix up 垸 with other similar characters like 境 (jìng, boundary) or 堤 (dī, levee), leading to misunderstandings. Ensure you practice using 垸 specifically in the context of water management.

Write 垸

垸

Practice writing 垸 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 垸?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

Frequently Asked Questions about 垸

It is pronounced as 'yuàn'.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 垸?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab