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窪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
窪wāpit, hollow, depression; swampx, 14 strokes, radical 穴, rank #93426, Very Hard
wā(wa1) T1
  1. 1pit, hollow, depression; swamp
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

窪wā(wa1)

The character 窪 (wā) refers to a pit, hollow, or depression in the ground. It can also denote a swampy area, emphasizing its relevance in geographical contexts where water accumulates. This term is often used in discussions about landscapes or physical features in nature.

Strokes14Radical穴Frequency#93426DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, understanding geographical features like swamps and depressions is vital, especially in historical contexts where land use and agriculture were heavily influenced by local geography. The character 窪 may appear in discussions of famous landscapes, highlighting its practical importance.

Memory Tip

Imagine a wide, open space where water collects, creating a 'wā' (pit) that is surrounded by low-lying land. The character's components can be visualized as a 'window' (穴) through which you can see the 'hollow' (the meaning). Picture a 'W' shape in the air, signaling the low ground below, helping you remember both form and sound.

Meanings of 窪

wā(wa1)
1pit, hollow, depression; swamp
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 窪

窪Simplified
14Strokes
穴Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 窪

JasonAmy

Podcast: 窪

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 窪

Quick Contrast

洼 (wā) - use 窪 (wā) for a more general pit or hollow, while 洼 specifically emphasizes a low-lying area that holds water.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone; 窪 is pronounced with a first tone (wā), which may be confused with other similar-sounding characters. It is often used in formal descriptions of geography, so avoid using it in overly casual conversation. Common collocations include '水窪' (swamp) and '窪地' (depression).

HSK Study Tips

While 窪 is not part of the HSK levels, it is useful for learners aiming to discuss geography or nature. Focus on contextual usage in descriptive writing or speaking, linking it to other HSK vocabulary related to landscapes.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 窪 with similar characters like 瓦 (wǎ, tile) due to similar pronunciation. Remember that 窪 specifically refers to a pit or hollow, while 瓦 relates to roofing materials.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 窪

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Etymology of 窪

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

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 圭 represents the sound. Simplified form of 窪.

Memory Hint

cave

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 窪

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 圭 represents the sound. Simplified form of 窪.

  1. 1The meaning half穴 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half洼 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaycave
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 窪? 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 窪?

Decomposition of 窪

IDS Structure⿱穴洼
窪Full Character
=
穴xue2
top
洼wa1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 窪?

How to say pit, hollow, depression; swamp in Chinese

“pit, hollow, depression; swamp” in Chinese is窪wā

The character 窪 (wā) refers to a pit, hollow, or depression in the ground. It can also denote a swampy area, emphasizing its relevance in geographical contexts where water accumulates. This term is often used in discussions about landscapes or physical features in nature.

When to use 窪

Be cautious with the tone; 窪 is pronounced with a first tone (wā), which may be confused with other similar-sounding characters. It is often used in formal descriptions of geography, so avoid using it in overly casual conversation. Common collocations include '水窪' (swamp) and '窪地' (depression).

窪 or something close to it

洼 (wā) - use 窪 (wā) for a more general pit or hollow, while 洼 specifically emphasizes a low-lying area that holds water.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 窪 with similar characters like 瓦 (wǎ, tile) due to similar pronunciation. Remember that 窪 specifically refers to a pit or hollow, while 瓦 relates to roofing materials.

Write 窪

窪

Practice writing 窪 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 窪

Words Containing This Character7
洼wāsunken窪
低洼low-lying低窪
洼地depression窪地
坑坑洼洼bumpy坑坑窪窪
坑洼pothole坑窪
大洼县Dawa county in Panjin 盤錦|盘锦, Liaoning大窪縣
大洼Dawa county in Panjin 盤錦|盘锦, Liaoning大窪
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 洼 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 窪

You might say '这里有一个水窪' (There is a water hole here) or '那片土地是个窪地' (That piece of land is a depression).

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