Meanings of 壓
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About 壓
Podcast: 壓
Podcast: 壓
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AI Study Notes for 壓
压 (yā) vs 挤 (jǐ) — use 压 for general pressing or crushing, while 挤 specifically implies squeezing or crowding.
Be careful not to confuse 壓 (yā) with other characters that sound similar, such as 牙 (yá), which means 'tooth.' It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, often paired with other words that describe what is being pressed or oppressed.
Although 壓 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects well with HSK Level 3 words, like '力' (lì - strength) and '迫' (pò - to compel). Focus on its usage in common phrases to build vocabulary.
Learners often mistakenly use 壓 (yā) when they mean to express 'to push' (推 tuī). For example, saying '我壓门' (wǒ yā mén - I press the door) instead of '我推门' (wǒ tuī mén - I push the door).
Pronunciation of 壓
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Etymology of 壓
Simplified form of 壓. Phonosemantic compound. 土 represents the meaning and 厭 represents the sound.
Soil 土 crushed under pressure 厭; 厭 also provides the pronunciation
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 壓
Simplified form of 壓. Phonosemantic compound. 土 represents the meaning and 厭 represents the sound.
- 1The giveawaySoil 土 crushed under pressure 厭; 厭 also provides the pronunciation
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 壓? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 壓
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How to say press; oppress; crush; pressure in Chinese
“press; oppress; crush; pressure” in Chinese is壓
The character 壓 (yā) primarily means 'to press' or 'to crush.' It is often used in contexts where physical pressure is applied, as well as in metaphorical senses such as emotional or social oppression. Common phrases include '壓力' (yālì), meaning 'pressure,' and '壓迫' (yāpò), meaning 'to oppress.'
When to use 壓
Be careful not to confuse 壓 (yā) with other characters that sound similar, such as 牙 (yá), which means 'tooth.' It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, often paired with other words that describe what is being pressed or oppressed.
壓 or something close to it
压 (yā) vs 挤 (jǐ) — use 压 for general pressing or crushing, while 挤 specifically implies squeezing or crowding.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 壓 (yā) when they mean to express 'to push' (推 tuī). For example, saying '我壓门' (wǒ yā mén - I press the door) instead of '我推门' (wǒ tuī mén - I push the door).
Write 壓
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Practice writing 壓 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 壓
Compound Meaning
What does 压力 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 壓
壓 (yā) means to press or crush, while 施加压力 (shījiā yālì) specifically means to exert pressure, often in a more metaphorical or psychological sense.
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