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March 24, 2026
垴(堖)nǎo(nao3)
The character 垴 (nǎo) refers to a small hillock or mound, often used in geographic names within China. It conveys a sense of a minor elevation in the landscape, distinguishing it from larger hills or mountains.
Strokes9Radical土Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The character 垴 is often found in the names of rural areas in China, reflecting the significance of natural features in Chinese culture and geography. Many small towns or villages may use this character to signify their location in relation to the landscape.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tiny hillock where a small gnome (like 'nǎo' sounds) lives. The gnome's home is on this little hill, making it a cozy and memorable spot. The character 垴 combines the earth radical 土, representing land, with the sound component that helps you remember its pronunciation.
Meanings of 垴
nǎo(nao3)
1small hillock, used in place names
2small hill
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 垴
垴Simplified
堖Traditional
9Strokes
土Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 垴
Podcast: 垴
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AI Study Notes for 垴
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tiny hillock where a small gnome (like 'nǎo' sounds) lives. The gnome's home is on this little hill, making it a cozy and memorable spot. The character 垴 combines the earth radical 土, representing land, with the sound component that helps you remember its pronunciation.
Usage Notes
While 垴 is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it often appears in place names, so it's vital to recognize this character in geographic contexts. Be mindful of the pronunciation, as misplacing the tone can lead to confusion with other characters.
HSK Study Tips
Although 垴 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance your grasp of Chinese geography-related terms. Focus on recognizing this character in maps and place names to build contextual understanding.
Cultural Note
The character 垴 is often found in the names of rural areas in China, reflecting the significance of natural features in Chinese culture and geography. Many small towns or villages may use this character to signify their location in relation to the landscape.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 垴 with similar characters like 山 (shān), which means mountain. For example, saying '我住在一个垴' (wǒ zhù zài yīgè nǎo) instead of '我住在一个山' (wǒ zhù zài yīgè shān) could lead to misleading descriptions of location.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 垴
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Cultural Notes for 垴
🏮Cultural insight
The character 垴 is often found in the names of rural areas in China, reflecting the significance of natural features in Chinese culture and geography. Many small towns or villages may use this character to signify their location in relation to the landscape.
Word Family of 垴
Words Containing This Character1
垴nǎosmall hill堖
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 垴 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 垴
No, 垴 is primarily found in geographic names rather than everyday speech.
The correct pronunciation is 'nǎo', with a falling tone.
No, 垴 specifically refers to a small hillock; using it for larger hills or mountains would be inaccurate.
