Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
崢 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
崢zhēnghigh, lofty, noble; perilous, steepx, 11 strokes, radical 山
zhēng(zheng1) T1
  1. 1high, lofty, noble; perilous, steep
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

崢zhēng(zheng1)

The character 崢 (zhēng) conveys a sense of height or steepness, often associated with lofty or noble qualities. It is commonly used to describe mountainous terrain or situations that are perilous and challenging. In literature, it can symbolize ambition or the pursuit of greatness, emphasizing both physical and metaphorical heights.

Strokes11Radical山
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, mountains symbolize strength and stability. The use of 崢 in poetry often reflects the admiration for natural beauty and the human spirit's resilience when faced with steep challenges, mirroring the cultural value placed on perseverance.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tall mountain peak (the top of which is 崢) that stands high above the clouds, representing lofty aspirations. The character looks like a mountain (山) with a sense of elevation, which connects to its meaning of steepness and nobility. Picture someone striving to reach this peak, embodying the spirit of 崢.

Meanings of 崢

zhēng(zheng1)
1high, lofty, noble; perilous, steep
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 崢

崢Simplified
11Strokes
山Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 崢

JasonAmy

Podcast: 崢

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 崢

Quick Contrast

巍 (wēi) - use 崢 for a sense of steepness or challenge, while 巍 emphasizes grandeur and majesty.

Usage Notes

崢 is typically used in literary or formal contexts, so it may not be suitable for casual conversation. Common collocations include 崢嶸 (zhēng róng), which means towering or majestic. Be cautious with the tone; mispronouncing the first tone can change its meaning.

HSK Study Tips

While 崢 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it can enhance vocabulary at higher levels for students interested in literature or formal writing. Focus on understanding its use in context, especially when discussing nature or ambitions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 崢 with similar-sounding characters. For example, using '争' (zhēng, to fight or compete) instead of 崢 is a common error; remember that 崢 relates to height and steepness, not conflict.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 崢

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

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

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 崢

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

mountain

Semantic (meaning)山
+
Phonetic (sound)爭
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 崢

  1. 1The meaning half山 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half爭 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaymountain
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 崢? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 崢?

Decomposition of 崢

IDS Structure⿰山爭
崢Full Character
=
山Shan1
left
爭zheng1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 崢?

How to say high, lofty, noble; perilous, steep in Chinese

“high, lofty, noble; perilous, steep” in Chinese is崢zhēng

The character 崢 (zhēng) conveys a sense of height or steepness, often associated with lofty or noble qualities. It is commonly used to describe mountainous terrain or situations that are perilous and challenging. In literature, it can symbolize ambition or the pursuit of greatness, emphasizing both physical and metaphorical heights.

When to use 崢

崢 is typically used in literary or formal contexts, so it may not be suitable for casual conversation. Common collocations include 崢嶸 (zhēng róng), which means towering or majestic. Be cautious with the tone; mispronouncing the first tone can change its meaning.

崢 or something close to it

巍 (wēi) - use 崢 for a sense of steepness or challenge, while 巍 emphasizes grandeur and majesty.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 崢 with similar-sounding characters. For example, using '争' (zhēng, to fight or compete) instead of 崢 is a common error; remember that 崢 relates to height and steepness, not conflict.

Write 崢

崢

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 崢

Words Containing This Character4
峥zhēngexcel崢
峥嵘towering崢嶸
岁月峥嵘eventful years歲月崢嶸
头角峥嵘promise of brilliant young person (idiom); showing extraordinary gifts頭角崢嶸
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 峥 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 崢

It is more commonly used in literary contexts rather than everyday speech to describe high or steep places.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 崢?

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.