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險 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
險xiǎnnarrow pass, strategic pointx, 15 strokes, radical 阝
xiǎn(xian3)xian T3
  1. 1narrow pass, strategic point
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March 24, 2026

險xiǎn(xian3)

The character 險 (xiǎn) refers to a narrow pass or a strategic point, often indicating a location that is difficult to navigate or poses a danger. It is commonly used in contexts related to geography, military strategy, or discussing risks and hazards.

Strokes15Radical阝
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of navigating dangerous terrains, such as mountain passes, is often tied to historical military strategies. The phrase '险中求胜' (seeking victory in danger) reflects the importance of overcoming challenges to achieve success.

Memory tip

Imagine a treacherous mountain pass (险) where you must take great care to avoid falling off the edge. The character combines the radical '阝', which represents a mound or hill, with '険', evoking the idea of danger in high places.

Meanings of 險

xiǎn(xian3)
1narrow pass, strategic point
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 險

險Simplified
15Strokes
阝Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 險

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Podcast: 險

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AI Study Notes for 險

Quick Contrast

险 (xiǎn) vs 危 (wēi) — use 險 when referring to a narrow or difficult location, while 危 emphasizes immediate danger or threat.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 險 with the similar-sounding character '簡' (jiǎn), which means simple. 險 is often used in more formal contexts, especially in literature or strategic discussions. It can also appear in phrases like '险境' (dangerous situation).

HSK Study Tips

While 險 isn't specifically listed in HSK levels, it can be beneficial for learners at HSK 4 and above, particularly those interested in geography or military vocabulary. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in context and its collocations with other words related to risk.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 險 with other characters due to its pronunciation, such as '显' (xiǎn, meaning to show). For example, saying '我觉得这个地方是显' instead of '险' is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '我觉得这个地方是险的' (I think this place is dangerous).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 險

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Etymology of 險

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

Phonosemantic compound. 阝 represents the meaning and 佥 represents the sound. Simplified form of 險.

Memory hint

hill

Semantic (meaning)阝
+
Phonetic (sound)僉
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

險 = 阝 + 僉. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 險

IDS Structure⿰阝僉
險Full character
=
阝yi4
left
僉qian1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 險?

How to say narrow pass, strategic point in Chinese

“narrow pass, strategic point” in Chinese is險xiǎn

The character 險 (xiǎn) refers to a narrow pass or a strategic point, often indicating a location that is difficult to navigate or poses a danger. It is commonly used in contexts related to geography, military strategy, or discussing risks and hazards.

When to use 險

Be careful not to confuse 險 with the similar-sounding character '簡' (jiǎn), which means simple. 險 is often used in more formal contexts, especially in literature or strategic discussions. It can also appear in phrases like '险境' (dangerous situation).

險 or something close to it

险 (xiǎn) vs 危 (wēi) — use 險 when referring to a narrow or difficult location, while 危 emphasizes immediate danger or threat.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 險 with other characters due to its pronunciation, such as '显' (xiǎn, meaning to show). For example, saying '我觉得这个地方是显' instead of '险' is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '我觉得这个地方是险的' (I think this place is dangerous).

Write 險

險

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

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Word Family of 險

Words containing this character20
危险wēixiǎndanger危險
风险fēngxiǎnrisk風險
保险bǎoxiǎninsurance保險
冒险màoxiǎnto take risks冒險
险xiǎndanger險
保险箱a safe保險箱
探险tànxiǎnto explore探險
抢险emergency (measures)搶險
惊险jīngxiǎnthrilling驚險
保险柜a safe保險櫃
险境danger zone險境
险些narrowly險些
阴险treacherous陰險
保险费insurance fee保險費
寿险life insurance壽險
人寿保险life insurance人壽保險
险情peril險情
险恶dangerous險惡
历险to experience adventures歷險
脱险to rescue脫險
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 險

What does 危险 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 險

It is pronounced as 'xiǎn', with a falling-rising tone.

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