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March 24, 2026
砬lá(la2)
The character 砬 (lá) refers to a large, solid rock or boulder, often implying something that is monumental or imposing. It can also be used in contexts where something stands tall or is significant in size. Commonly, it may be used in geological descriptions or metaphorically to denote strength and stability.
Strokes10Radical石Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, large boulders often symbolize stability and permanence, reflecting traditional values of strength and endurance. They can also be found in famous landscapes, showcasing the beauty of nature in Chinese art and poetry.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant rock (砬) that looks like a tall tower. The character has a stone radical (石), which gives it the meaning of rock, combined with the idea of 'standing tall' like a tower, helping you remember both its form and meaning.
Meanings of 砬
lá(la2)
1boulder; obelisk
2a huge boulder
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 砬
砬Simplified
10Strokes
石Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 砬
Podcast: 砬
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AI Study Notes for 砬
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant rock (砬) that looks like a tall tower. The character has a stone radical (石), which gives it the meaning of rock, combined with the idea of 'standing tall' like a tower, helping you remember both its form and meaning.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 砬 with similar characters, such as 岩 (yán), which also refers to rocks but implies a different context (like rock formations). This term is quite formal and typically used in literary or scientific contexts. Pay attention to the tone; the word is pronounced with a rising tone (lá).
HSK Study Tips
While 砬 is not an HSK listed word, it connects to the HSK vocabulary related to nature and geography. Focus on associating it with words like 山 (shān - mountain) and 岩 (yán - rock) to enhance your understanding of geological terms.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, large boulders often symbolize stability and permanence, reflecting traditional values of strength and endurance. They can also be found in famous landscapes, showcasing the beauty of nature in Chinese art and poetry.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 砬 with 砰 (pēng), which refers to a sound or impact. Make sure to remember that 砬 specifically denotes a type of rock, not a sound, to avoid using it incorrectly in context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 砬
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Cultural Notes for 砬
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, large boulders often symbolize stability and permanence, reflecting traditional values of strength and endurance. They can also be found in famous landscapes, showcasing the beauty of nature in Chinese art and poetry.
Word Family of 砬
Words Containing This Character1
砬láa huge boulder
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 砬 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 砬
It is pronounced as 'lá' with a rising tone.
砬 (lá) refers specifically to large boulders or towering rocks, while 岩 (yán) denotes rocks in a more general sense, often in relation to rock formations.
Yes, it can symbolize strength and stability in metaphorical contexts, similar to how one might refer to someone as a 'rock' in English.