to arrest, to detain; to deposit, to pledge; mortgage
HSK 7, zg, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #4196, Hard
yā(ya1) T1
1to mortgage
2to pawn
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
押yā(ya1)
The character 押 (yā) primarily means to mortgage or pawn an item, indicating the act of using an asset as security for a loan. It can also refer to detaining someone in custody or escorting and protecting them. This word is commonly used in legal and financial contexts, highlighting the importance of security in transactions.
Strokes8Radical扌Frequency#4196DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the practice of pawning items is common, especially in financial difficulties. Pawn shops play a significant role in urban areas, providing quick loans and reflecting a cultural attitude toward personal property and financial security.
Memory Tip
Imagine a strong hand (represented by the radical '扌' on the left side of '押') holding tightly onto a valuable item, like a pawned watch. Visualize the 'yā' sound as a deep sigh when you realize you have to mortgage something precious. This vivid imagery links the character's form to its meaning.
Meanings of 押
yā(ya1)
1to mortgage
2to pawn
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 押
押Simplified
8Strokes
扌Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#4196Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 押
Podcast: 押
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 押
Quick Contrast
担保 (dānbǎo, guarantee) — use 押 when referring specifically to mortgaging or pawning an item, while 担保 is broader and includes guaranteeing without the asset aspect.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a strong hand (represented by the radical '扌' on the left side of '押') holding tightly onto a valuable item, like a pawned watch. Visualize the 'yā' sound as a deep sigh when you realize you have to mortgage something precious. This vivid imagery links the character's form to its meaning.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 押 (yā) with other similar-sounding words. It is often used in formal contexts, especially in legal or financial documents. Common collocations include 押金 (yājīn, deposit) and 押票 (yāpiào, to pawn a ticket).
HSK Study Tips
Although 押 is not in the official HSK levels, it relates to vocabulary about money and legal terms, which are useful for learners at HSK 4 and above. Focus on understanding how it interacts with financial transactions and legal matters.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the practice of pawning items is common, especially in financial difficulties. Pawn shops play a significant role in urban areas, providing quick loans and reflecting a cultural attitude toward personal property and financial security.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 押 (yā) with the similar-sounding word 牙 (yá), which means 'tooth.' For example, saying '我把我的牙押了' (I pawned my tooth) is incorrect; it should be '我把我的手表押了' (I pawned my watch).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 押
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 押 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 押 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 押
押 carries 6 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
他被指控为英国间谍，入狱关____了5年。
He was jailed for five years as an alleged British spy.
Common Confusions with 押
押vs压
yā
Same pronunciation but different meaning.
押vs雅
yǎ
Similar phonetics but different meanings.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to mortgage"?
or
Usage Notes for 押
Confusing 押 with similar charactersCommon Error
Learners often confuse 押 with characters like 压 or 雅 due to similar pronunciation.
1
我把我的手表押给了朋友。
I pawned my watch to a friend.
Exercise 1 of 1
Fill in the Blank
我把我的手表____给了朋友。
I pawned my watch to a friend.
Example Sentences for 押 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他被指控为英国间谍，入狱关押了5年。
tā bèi zhǐ kòng wéi yīng guó jiān dié， ， rù yù guān yā5 le。
He was jailed for five years as an alleged British spy.
2
战争爆发时，他作为敌国人士遭到关押。
zhàn zhēng bào fā shí， ， tā zuò wéi dí guó rén shì zāo dào guān。
When war broke out, he was interned as an enemy alien.
3
地方法官将可以在少年犯送押时提出附加条件。
dì fāng fǎ guān jiāng kě yǐ zài shǎo nián fàn sòng yā shí tí chū fù jiā tiáo jiàn。
Magistrates will be able to attach conditions when juveniles are remanded.
If homeowners can't keep up the payments, they face foreclosure.
8
抵押贷款利率最近的回升可能会扼杀房地产的复苏。
dǐ yā dài kuǎn lì shuài zuì jìn de huí shēng kě néng huì è shā fáng dì chǎn de fù sū。
The recent rebound in mortgage rates could snuff out the housing recovery.
9
他在此期间将会继续被关押。
tā zài cǐ qī jiān jiāng huì jì xù bèi guān yā。
He was to remain in jail in the interim.
10
他们不愿意把自己的事业押在这件事上。
tā mén bù yuàn yì bǎ zì jǐ de shì yè yā zài zhè jiàn shì shàng。
They are not prepared to gamble their careers on this matter.
Cultural Notes for 押
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the practice of pawning items is common, especially in financial difficulties. Pawn shops play a significant role in urban areas, providing quick loans and reflecting a cultural attitude toward personal property and financial security.
Word Family of 押
Words Containing This Character20
押yāto pawn
抵押dǐyāto put up collateral
关押to imprison關押
扣押kòuyāto detain
押金yājīndeposit
羁押to detain羈押
押韵to rhyme押韻
押送to send under escort
收押in custody
押解to send away under escort (criminals, goods etc)
押运to convey under guard押運
抵押品mortgaged property
拘押to arrest
看押to detain
画押to sign畫押
押宝(fig.) to gamble on押寶
押运员an escort押運員
押车to escort (goods) during transportation押車
抵押物collateral (finance)
监押a jail監押
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 押 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 押
In legal contexts, 押 refers to detaining someone or something, such as arresting an individual or holding property as collateral.
In everyday conversation, 押 might be used when discussing loans, such as saying you need to 押 something for cash.
Yes, synonyms include 抵押 (dǐyā), which specifically means to mortgage.
