Meanings of 岌
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About 岌
Podcast: 岌
Podcast: 岌
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AI Study Notes for 岌
岌 (jí) vs 陡 (dǒu) — use 岌 when emphasizing perilous steepness or danger, whereas 陡 focuses more on the steepness itself without the connotation of danger.
Imagine a steep mountain peak that juts out dangerously into the sky. The character 岌 is like a mountain (山) with a sense of urgency (急) below it, reminding you to be cautious when climbing. The pronunciation 'jí' sounds like 'gee,' as in 'Gee, that's a steep drop!'
When using 岌, be mindful of its context; it is often used in literary or formal settings rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include 岌岌可危 (jí jí kě wēi), meaning 'in a precarious situation.' Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding characters like 急 (jí), which means 'urgent.'
While 岌 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your comprehension of descriptive language regarding nature and danger. It connects with other HSK vocabulary related to heights and urgency, so focus on these themes in your studies.
In Chinese culture, high mountains are often seen as symbols of both beauty and danger, reflecting the dual nature of nature itself. The character 岌 embodies this cultural appreciation of nature's majesty and the respect it commands.
Learners often confuse 岌 with 急 due to similar pronunciation and structure, using it incorrectly in contexts that require urgency rather than describing steepness. For example, saying '这件事很岌' (This matter is very steep) instead of '这件事很急' (This matter is very urgent) is incorrect.
Pronunciation of 岌
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Etymology of 岌
Phonosemantic compound. 山 represents the meaning and 及 represents the sound.
mountain
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 岌?
Decomposition of 岌
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Write 岌
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Practice writing 岌 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 岌
岌 functions as a four-character idiom (成语). Treat it as a fixed unit; it usually plays the role of a single adjective, adverb, or noun phrase inside the larger sentence. It carries 2 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.
Complete the Sentence
她对她的副手很不守信义，使得他的职位____岌可危。
She was so disloyal to her deputy she made his position untenable.
Example Sentences for 岌 (2)
Cultural Notes for 岌
In Chinese culture, high mountains are often seen as symbols of both beauty and danger, reflecting the dual nature of nature itself. The character 岌 embodies this cultural appreciation of nature's majesty and the respect it commands.
Word Family of 岌
Compound Meaning
What does 岌岌可危 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 岌
It's not commonly used in everyday conversation, but it describes steep or hazardous conditions, often in literary contexts.
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