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March 24, 2026
崖yá(ya2)
The character 崖 (yá) primarily means 'precipice' or 'cliff.' It is often used to describe steep rocky formations and is commonly found in geographical contexts, such as mountain ranges and coastal areas. The nuance of the word conveys a sense of danger or height, emphasizing the intimidating nature of these natural features.
Strokes11Radical山Frequency#16249DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry and literature, cliffs are often symbolic of challenges or obstacles to be overcome, reflecting the cultural appreciation for nature's grandeur and the human spirit's resilience.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large 'Y' (the shape of the character) standing on the edge of a steep cliff, looking down at the valley below. The 'Y' represents the sound 'yá,' which can help you remember both the pronunciation and the meaning of a steep drop-off.
Meanings of 崖
yá(ya2)
1precipice
2cliff
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 崖
崖Simplified
11Strokes
山Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#16249Frequency Rank
Podcast: 崖
Podcast: 崖
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AI Study Notes for 崖
Quick Contrast
悬崖 (xuányá) vs 崖 (yá): 悬崖 specifically emphasizes a cliff that is overhanging or steep, while 崖 is a more general term for any cliff or precipice.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large 'Y' (the shape of the character) standing on the edge of a steep cliff, looking down at the valley below. The 'Y' represents the sound 'yá,' which can help you remember both the pronunciation and the meaning of a steep drop-off.
Usage Notes
崖 is typically used in both spoken and written contexts, often in conversations about nature or travel. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar characters like '崇' (chóng), which means 'high' or 'lofty.' Remember to use 崖 in contexts that indicate steepness or danger.
HSK Study Tips
Although 崖 is not currently included in the HSK vocabulary list, it relates to HSK Level 3 words like '山' (shān, mountain) and '高' (gāo, high). Students should focus on recognizing it in context, especially when discussing landscapes or nature.
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry and literature, cliffs are often symbolic of challenges or obstacles to be overcome, reflecting the cultural appreciation for nature's grandeur and the human spirit's resilience.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 崖, saying 'yī' instead of 'yá.' Additionally, some may use 崖 interchangeably with '坡' (pō, slope), which is incorrect as坡 refers to a gentler incline.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 崖
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Grammar Patterns of 崖
崖 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
一名男青年从陡峭的岩壁上坠____身亡。
A young man plunged from a sheer rock face to his death.
Example Sentences for 崖 (10)
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1
一名男青年从陡峭的岩壁上坠崖身亡。
yī míng nán qīng nián cóng dǒu qiào de yán bì shàng zhuì yá shēn wáng。
A young man plunged from a sheer rock face to his death.
2
崖沙燕是一种褐羽白腹的鸟。
yá shā yàn shì yī zhǒng hè yǔ bái fù de niǎo。
The sand martin is a brown bird with white underneath.
3
一团油腻的黑色烟雾飘到悬崖顶上。
yī tuán yóu nì de hēi sè yān wù piāo dào xuán yá dǐng shàng。
A pall of oily black smoke drifted over the cliff-top.
It's thrilling to see people diving into the sea from a cliff.
9
他们离悬崖边很近,十分危险.
tā mén lí xuán yá biān hěn jìn, , shí fēn wēi.
They were perilously close to the edge of the precipice.
10
他们沿着村庄周围的陡峭悬崖往上爬。
tā mén yán zháo cūn zhuāng zhōu wéi de dǒu qiào xuán yá wǎng shàng pá。
They climbed upward along the steep cliffs surrounding the village.
Cultural Notes for 崖
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese poetry and literature, cliffs are often symbolic of challenges or obstacles to be overcome, reflecting the cultural appreciation for nature's grandeur and the human spirit's resilience.
Word Family of 崖
Compounds2
嘊
漄
Words Containing This Character13
悬崖xuányáprecipice懸崖
崖yácliff
山崖cliff
悬崖峭壁xuányáqiàobìsheer cliffs and precipitous rock faces (idiom)懸崖峭壁
悬崖勒马fig. to act in the nick of time懸崖勒馬
崖壁escarpment
断崖crag斷崖
悬崖绝壁sheer cliffs and precipitous rock faces (idiom)懸崖絕壁
陡崖steep cliff
崖岸cliff
崖谷valley
崖刻rock carving
崖壑valley
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 悬崖 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 崖
It is pronounced as 'yá' with a rising tone.
Yes, it can refer to any steep cliff or precipice, but it's often used in more dramatic contexts.
You might encounter phrases like '悬崖' (xuányá, overhanging cliff) or '峭壁' (qiàobì, steep wall), which emphasize the steepness.
