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March 24, 2026
塹qiàn(qian4)
The character 塹 (qiàn) refers to a moat, pit, or trench, typically used as a defensive structure in ancient Chinese warfare or for irrigation. In modern contexts, it can also denote a cavity or hollow space. This term is less commonly used in everyday conversation but may appear in historical or architectural discussions.
Strokes14Radical土Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In ancient China, moats were crucial in fortifying cities against invasions, symbolizing the importance of defense in Chinese history. The design of traditional Chinese castles often included extensive trench systems.
Memory Tip
Think of 塹 (qiàn) as a 'cavity' or 'trench' where the radical 土 (tǔ) represents 'earth' and the character suggests digging into the ground. Imagine a soldier guarding a moat filled with water, creating an image of protection and depth.
Meanings of 塹
qiàn(qian4)
1moat, pit, trench; cavity
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 塹
塹Simplified
14Strokes
土Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 塹
Podcast: 塹
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AI Study Notes for 塹
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 塹 (qiàn) as a 'cavity' or 'trench' where the radical 土 (tǔ) represents 'earth' and the character suggests digging into the ground. Imagine a soldier guarding a moat filled with water, creating an image of protection and depth.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 塹 with similar characters that denote different types of water bodies or trenches. It is more formal and may not be used frequently in casual conversation. Common collocations include '防御塹' (defensive trench) and '水塹' (water trench).
HSK Study Tips
While 塹 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it helps learners connect with characters related to defense and construction, like 堡 (bǎo - fortress) and 坑 (kēng - pit). Focus on recognizing the character's radicals and related terms to enhance vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In ancient China, moats were crucial in fortifying cities against invasions, symbolizing the importance of defense in Chinese history. The design of traditional Chinese castles often included extensive trench systems.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 塹 with 坑 (kēng) and use it interchangeably, leading to misunderstandings. For example, saying '我在水塹里' (I am in the water trench) when they meant '水坑' (water pit) is incorrect; ensure the context matches the meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 塹
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Cultural Notes for 塹
🏮Cultural insight
In ancient China, moats were crucial in fortifying cities against invasions, symbolizing the importance of defense in Chinese history. The design of traditional Chinese castles often included extensive trench systems.
Word Family of 塹
Words Containing This Character3
堑qiànmoat around a city塹
路堑(civil engineering) cutting (for a railway or highway)路塹
地堑trench, rift valley地塹
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 堑 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 塹
It is mostly found in historical texts or discussions about architecture and defense, rather than in everyday speech.
Yes, synonyms include 坑 (kēng) for pit and 沟 (gōu) for ditch, but each has its own specific context.
Common phrases include '防御塹' (defensive trench) and '水塹' (water trench), used in military and engineering contexts.
