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峡 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
峡xiágorgeHSK 7, j, 9 strokes, radical 山, rank #42714, Very Hard
峡xiágorge, ravine, strait; isthmusHSK 7, j, 9 strokes, radical 山, rank #42714, Very Hard
xiá(xia2) T2
  1. 1gorge
  2. 2gorge, ravine, strait; isthmus
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March 24, 2026
峡(峽)xiá(xia2)

The character 峡 (xiá) refers to a narrow passage between mountains or hills, commonly known as a gorge or ravine. It can also denote a strait or isthmus, emphasizing its geographical significance. This term is frequently used in natural geography and travel contexts.

Strokes9Radical山Frequency#42714DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, many famous gorges, such as the Yangtze River's Three Gorges, hold historical and scenic significance, often associated with folklore and tourism.

Memory Tip

Imagine the character 峡 as a mountain (山) with a narrow gorge (口) cut through it. The two peaks represent the mountains, while the opening symbolizes the narrow passage, helping you remember that 'xiá' relates to gorges and straits.

Meanings of 峡

xiá(xia2)
1gorge
2gorge, ravine, strait; isthmus
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 峡

峡Simplified
峽Traditional
9Strokes
山Radical
简称abbreviation (abbr.)Part of Speech
#42714Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7

Podcast: 峡

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Podcast: 峡

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AI Study Notes for 峡

Quick Contrast

峡 (xiá) vs 渡 (dù) — use 峡 for a narrow passage between mountains, while 渡 refers to a crossing point over a river or body of water.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine the character 峡 as a mountain (山) with a narrow gorge (口) cut through it. The two peaks represent the mountains, while the opening symbolizes the narrow passage, helping you remember that 'xiá' relates to gorges and straits.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 峡 with similar characters like 川 (chuān), which means river and does not imply narrowness. This character is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, often appearing in geographical names and descriptions.

HSK Study Tips

Though 峡 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it is beneficial for learners at HSK 4 and above to recognize it, especially in reading comprehension. Students should focus on its usage in geography-related contexts.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, many famous gorges, such as the Yangtze River's Three Gorges, hold historical and scenic significance, often associated with folklore and tourism.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 峡 with similar characters, such as 峰 (fēng), which means peak or summit. For example, saying '我去峡' (Wǒ qù xiá) incorrectly suggests 'I go to a peak' instead of 'I go to a gorge'. The correct phrase should specify the context of a gorge.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 峡

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Etymology of 峡

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

The space between 夹 two mountains 山; 夹 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 峡?

Decomposition of 峡

IDS Structure⿰山夹
峡Full Character
=
山Shan1
left
夹jia1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 峡?

Write 峡

峡

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

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Grammar Patterns of 峡

峡 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

据说巴士发生翻车，跌进了____谷。

The bus is said to have over-turned and fallen into a ravine.

Example Sentences for 峡 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
据说巴士发生翻车，跌进了峡谷。

jù shuō bā shì fā shēng fān chē， ， diē jìn le xiá。

The bus is said to have over-turned and fallen into a ravine.
2
这次出行是为了能驶入冰雪覆盖的峡湾。

zhè cì chū háng shì wéi le néng shǐ rù bīng xuě fù gài de xiá wān。

The purpose of the visit was to navigate into an ice-filled fiord.
3
我们去大峡谷徒步旅行，探究印第安人的崖居。

wǒ mén qù dà xiá gǔ tú bù lǚ háng， ， tàn jiū yìn dì ān rén de yá。

We hiked the Grand Canyon, exploring Indian cliff dwellings.
4
恐龙峡谷中的化石都嵌在坚硬的砂岩中。

kǒng lóng xiá gǔ zhōng de huà shí dū qiàn zài jiān yìng de shā yán zhōng。

The fossils at Dinosaur Cove are embedded in hard sandstones.
5
英吉利海峡隧道是欧洲最大的土木工程。

yīng jí lì hǎi xiá suì dào shì ōu zhōu zuì dà de tǔ mù gōng chéng。

The Channel Tunnel project is the biggest civil engineering project in Europe.
6
我们沿着陡峭的峡谷向上开。

wǒ mén yán zháo dǒu qiào de xiá gǔ xiàng shàng kāi。

We drove up a steep-sided valley.
7
海峡隧道预计1993年年底前开通。

hǎi xiá suì dào yù jì1993 1993 nián nián dǐ qián kāi。

The Channel tunnel was due to open towards the end of
8
历山上, 还有两条大峡谷, 即东峡 、 西峡.

lì shān shàng, , huán yǒu liǎng tiáo dà xiá, gǔ , jí、 dōng xiá.

Calendar hill, there are two other Grand Canyon, the East Gap, Xixia.
9
远处峡谷的西缘，一只丛林狼嚎叫了两声。

yuǎn chǔ xiá gǔ de xī yuán， ， yī zhī cóng lín láng háo jiào le liǎng。

Far up the west rim of the canyon, a coyote yipped twice.
10
这座城市建在高出峡谷的岩石上.

zhè zuò chéng shì jiàn zài gāo chū xiá gǔ de yán shí shàng.

The city is built on the rock rising out of ravines.

Cultural Notes for 峡

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, many famous gorges, such as the Yangtze River's Three Gorges, hold historical and scenic significance, often associated with folklore and tourism.

Word Family of 峡

Words Containing This Character20
峡谷xiágǔcanyon峽谷
海峡hǎixiáchannel海峽
三峡Sanxia or Sanhsia town in New Taipei City 新北市[Xīn​běi​shì], Taiwan三峽
峡xiágorge峽
台湾海峡Taiwan Strait台灣海峽
大峡谷great valley大峽谷
英吉利海峡English Channel英吉利海峽
海峡群岛Channel Islands海峽群島
长江三峡Three Gorges or Yangtze Gorges, namely: Qutang Gorge 瞿塘峽|瞿塘峡[Qū​táng​Xiá], Wuxia Gorge 巫峽|巫峡[Wū​Xiá] and Xiling Gorge 西陵峽|西陵峡[Xī​líng​Xiá]長江三峽
三门峡Sanmenxia prefecture level city in Henan三門峽
白令海峡the Bering Strait (between Siberia and Alaska)白令海峽
马六甲海峡Strait of Malacca馬六甲海峽
霍尔木兹海峡Strait of Hormuz霍爾木茲海峽
山峡gorge山峽
琼州海峡Qiongzhou Strait (between Hainan Island and Mainland China)瓊州海峽
三门峡市Sanmenxia prefecture level city in Henan三門峽市
峡江Xiajiang county in Ji'an 吉安[Jí​'ān], Jiangxi峽江
巫峡Wuxia Gorge on the Changjiang or Yangtze, the middle of the Three Gorges 三峽|三峡[Sān​Xiá]巫峽
峡湾fjord峽灣
西峡Xixia county in Nanyang 南陽|南阳[Nán​yáng], Henan西峽
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 峡谷 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 峡

The pinyin is 'xiá', with a rising tone. Practice saying it with the 'x' sound, similar to 'she' but with your tongue positioned closer to the roof of your mouth.