unknown, 17 strokes, radical 土, rank #42020, Very Hard
壑
hè
Taiwan pr. [huo4]
unknown, 17 strokes, radical 土, rank #42020, Very Hard
hè(he4) T4
1gully, pool; a ditch carved by a torrential rain
2ravine
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March 24, 2026
壑hè(he4)
The character 壑 (hè) refers to a gully or ravine, often formed by the erosion caused by heavy rainfall. It conveys the idea of a deep, narrow valley or a ditch that collects water, typically seen in natural landscapes. This term is commonly used in geographical or environmental contexts.
Strokes17Radical土Frequency#42020DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry and literature, landscapes often play a crucial role, and terms like 壑 are used to evoke imagery of nature's beauty and power, reflecting the traditional Chinese appreciation for mountains and rivers.
Memory Tip
Imagine a deep, narrow gully carved into the earth by rushing water. The character 壑 looks like a roof (the top part) over a deep hole or ditch (the bottom part), symbolizing the shelter of the land above and the ravine below. To remember the pronunciation, think of 'hè' as the sound of water rushing through the gully.
Meanings of 壑
hè(he4)
1gully, pool; a ditch carved by a torrential rain
2ravine
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 壑
壑Simplified
17Strokes
土Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 壑
Podcast: 壑
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AI Study Notes for 壑
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a deep, narrow gully carved into the earth by rushing water. The character 壑 looks like a roof (the top part) over a deep hole or ditch (the bottom part), symbolizing the shelter of the land above and the ravine below. To remember the pronunciation, think of 'hè' as the sound of water rushing through the gully.
Usage Notes
壑 is typically used in written Chinese and may not be common in everyday conversation. Be careful with pronunciation, as it can be confused with similar-sounding words. It often appears in literary or poetic contexts, which gives it a formal tone.
HSK Study Tips
As an advanced character not included in HSK levels, learners should focus on understanding its usage in literature or geography-related texts. Connecting 壑 to other characters related to nature, such as 河 (hé, river) or 山 (shān, mountain), can help reinforce its meaning.
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry and literature, landscapes often play a crucial role, and terms like 壑 are used to evoke imagery of nature's beauty and power, reflecting the traditional Chinese appreciation for mountains and rivers.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 壑 (hè) with 赫 (hè), which means 'bright' or 'red.' Always check the context to ensure you're using the correct character. For example, saying '我看到一个赫' instead of '我看到一个壑' can lead to confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 壑
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Grammar Patterns of 壑
壑 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 1
Complete the Sentence
在到达一营前还剩两三百英尺的地方,碰到一道沟____切断的路.
There was draw they had to cross a few hundred feet before they reached 1 st Battalion.
Example Sentences for 壑 (1)
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1
在到达一营前还剩两三百英尺的地方,碰到一道沟壑切断的路.
zài dào dá yī yíng qián huán shèng liǎng sān bǎi yīng chǐ de dì fāng, , pèng dào yī dào gōu hè qiē duàn de.
There was draw they had to cross a few hundred feet before they reached 1 st Battalion.
Cultural Notes for 壑
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese poetry and literature, landscapes often play a crucial role, and terms like 壑 are used to evoke imagery of nature's beauty and power, reflecting the traditional Chinese appreciation for mountains and rivers.
Word Family of 壑
Words Containing This Character9
壑hègully
沟壑gorge溝壑
欲壑难填bottomless pit of desire (idiom); insatiable greed慾壑難填
以邻为壑to use one's neighbor as a drain以鄰為壑
丘壑hills and valleys
林壑woods and ravines
岩壑rocky mountain valley
山壑gullies
崖壑valley
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 壑 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 壑
It is pronounced as 'hè', with a falling tone.
No, it is more commonly found in written Chinese, particularly in literary contexts.
Synonyms include 谷 (gǔ, valley) and 渊 (yuān, abyss), though they have slightly different nuances.
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