unknown, 6 strokes, radical 山, rank #58397, Very Hard
jí(ji2) T2
1perilous, hazardous; steep, high
2lofty peak
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March 24, 2026
岌jí(ji2)
The character 岌 (jí) conveys a sense of steepness or perilousness, often associated with lofty peaks and hazardous situations. It is commonly used in contexts describing danger or something that is precariously high, such as mountains or cliffs, and can also symbolize a sense of urgency or crisis.
Strokes6Radical山Frequency#58397DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
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.
Memory Tip
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!'
Meanings of 岌
jí(ji2)
1perilous, hazardous; steep, high
2lofty peak
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 岌
岌Simplified
6Strokes
山Radical
成语chéngyǔidiom (id.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 岌
Podcast: 岌
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AI Study Notes for 岌
Quick Contrast
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.
Memory Mnemonic
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!'
Usage Notes
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.'
HSK Study Tips
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.
Cultural Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 岌
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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.
Exercise 1 of 2
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)
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1
她对她的副手很不守信义，使得他的职位岌岌可危。
tā duì tā de fù shǒu hěn bù shǒu xìn yì， ， shǐ dé tā de zhí wèi jí jí kě。
She was so disloyal to her deputy she made his position untenable.
2
两国都深受失业率飙升、预算赤字拉大以及财政岌岌可危之苦。
liǎng guó dū shēn shòu shī yè shuài biāo shēng、 、 yù suàn chì zì lā dà yǐ jí cái zhèng jí jí kě wēi zhī。
Both countries suffer from soaring unemployment, large budget deficits and wobbly financial sectors.
Cultural Notes for 岌
🏮Cultural insight
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
Words Containing This Character2
岌岌可危imminent danger (idiom); approaching a crisis
岌jílofty peak
Exercise 1 of 2
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.
Yes, it can metaphorically describe situations that are perilous or precarious, such as a difficult decision.
Yes, 岌 specifically implies steepness and danger, whereas other characters like 急 focus more on urgency.
