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高山 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
高山gāoshānhigh mountainHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #14381, Very Hard
高山gāoshānalpineHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #14381, Very Hard
gāoshān(gao1shan1)gao shan T1
  1. 1high mountain
  2. 2alpine
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March 24, 2026

高山gāoshān(gao1shan1)

高山 (gāo shān) refers to a high mountain or an alpine region. This term is commonly used to describe mountains that are significantly elevated, often associated with breathtaking landscapes and challenging terrains. It can also be used metaphorically to describe lofty aspirations or challenges.

Strokes13Frequency#14381DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

High mountains are significant in Chinese culture, often associated with spirituality and natural beauty. The famous 'Five Sacred Mountains' (五岳) are revered in Chinese history and are popular pilgrimage sites.

Memory tip

Imagine a giant mountain rising high into the sky (高), with steep cliffs and soaring peaks (山). Picture yourself standing at the base, looking up at its grandeur. The sound of 'gāo' (高) resembles 'go,' as in 'go high' up the mountain, reinforcing the idea of elevation.

Meanings of 高山

gāoshān(gao1shan1)
1high mountain
2alpine
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About 高山

高山Simplified
13Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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AI study notes for 高山

Quick Contrast

高峰 (gāofēng) refers specifically to the peak of a mountain, while 高山 (gāoshān) encompasses the entire high mountain range.

Usage Notes

Avoid confusing '高山' with '山高' (shān gāo), which is less common and can sound awkward. The term is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in discussions about nature, geography, or hiking. Make sure to pronounce both characters clearly, as mispronunciation can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

While 高山 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it combines two basic characters: 高 (high) and 山 (mountain), both of which are essential for learners. Focus on recognizing these characters in other combinations and contexts, such as mountain ranges or geographical discussions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly say '高的山' (gāo de shān) instead of just '高山'. The latter is more concise and idiomatic in Chinese. Remember to use the correct structure for natural expressions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 高山

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Component characters

高gāohigh
HSK 210 strokes高
View full entry
山shānmountain
HSK 33 strokes山
View full entry

How to say high mountain in Chinese

“high mountain” in Chinese is高山gāoshān

高山 (gāo shān) refers to a high mountain or an alpine region. This term is commonly used to describe mountains that are significantly elevated, often associated with breathtaking landscapes and challenging terrains. It can also be used metaphorically to describe lofty aspirations or challenges.

When to use 高山

Avoid confusing '高山' with '山高' (shān gāo), which is less common and can sound awkward. The term is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in discussions about nature, geography, or hiking. Make sure to pronounce both characters clearly, as mispronunciation can change the meaning.

高山 or something close to it

高峰 (gāofēng) refers specifically to the peak of a mountain, while 高山 (gāoshān) encompasses the entire high mountain range.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly say '高的山' (gāo de shān) instead of just '高山'. The latter is more concise and idiomatic in Chinese. Remember to use the correct structure for natural expressions.

Write 高山

高
山

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

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Frequently asked questions about 高山

You can say: '我喜欢爬高山' (Wǒ xǐhuān pá gāoshān), meaning 'I like to climb high mountains.'

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