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March 24, 2026
谿xī(xi1)
The character 谿 (xī) refers to a narrow valley or gorge, typically associated with a mountain stream. It embodies the natural beauty and tranquility found in mountainous landscapes, often used in poetic or literary contexts to evoke serene imagery.
Strokes17Radical谷
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry, valleys and streams are often symbols of peace and reflection, signifying harmony with nature. The character 谿 captures this essence, frequently appearing in classical literature and painting.
Memory Tip
Imagine a serene mountain stream flowing through a narrow gorge. The character 谿 resembles a winding river ('溪') flowing through a valley ('谷'), creating a peaceful scene that will help you remember 'xī' for valley and gorge.
Meanings of 谿
xī(xi1)
1valley, gorge; mountain stream
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 谿
谿Simplified
17Strokes
谷Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 谿
Podcast: 谿
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AI Study Notes for 谿
Usage Notes
This character is more commonly used in literary contexts rather than daily conversation. Be cautious of the tone, as it is pronounced with the first tone (xī), which can be confused with other similar-sounding words in Mandarin.
HSK Study Tips
Although 谿 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, learners should focus on recognizing its components, like the radical '谷' (valley), which can help in understanding related words. It's also useful for building vocabulary around nature.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 谿 with similar-sounding words, such as 西 (xī), which means 'west'. Remember that 谿 specifically refers to a valley or gorge, whereas 西 has a different meaning entirely.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 谿
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Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 奚 represents the sound. Simplified form of 谿.
1The meaning half谷 carries the sense.
2The sound half奚 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayvalley
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 谿? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 谿?
Decomposition of 谿
IDS Structure⿰奚谷
谿Full Character
=
奚Xi1
left
谷gu3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 谿?
How to say valley, gorge; mountain stream in Chinese
“valley, gorge; mountain stream” in Chinese is谿xī
The character 谿 (xī) refers to a narrow valley or gorge, typically associated with a mountain stream. It embodies the natural beauty and tranquility found in mountainous landscapes, often used in poetic or literary contexts to evoke serene imagery.
When to use 谿
This character is more commonly used in literary contexts rather than daily conversation. Be cautious of the tone, as it is pronounced with the first tone (xī), which can be confused with other similar-sounding words in Mandarin.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 谿 with similar-sounding words, such as 西 (xī), which means 'west'. Remember that 谿 specifically refers to a valley or gorge, whereas 西 has a different meaning entirely.
Write 谿
谿
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Practice writing 谿 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Word Family of 谿
Words Containing This Character17
溪xīcreek
小溪xiǎoxībrook
溪流stream
安溪Anxi county in Quanzhou 泉州[Quánzhōu], Fujian
慈溪Cixi county level city in Ningbo 寧波|宁波[Níngbō], Zhejiang
玉溪Yuxi prefecture level city in Yunnan
本溪Benxi prefecture-level city in Liaoning province 遼寧省|辽宁省 in northeast China
溪谷valley
兰溪Lanxi county level city in Jinhua 金華|金华[Jīnhuá], Zhejiang蘭溪
安溪县Anxi county in Quanzhou 泉州[Quánzhōu], Fujian安溪縣
慈溪市Cixi county level city in Ningbo 寧波|宁波[Níngbō], Zhejiang
花溪区Huaxi district of Guiyang city 貴陽市|贵阳市[Guìyángshì], Guizhou花溪區
玉溪市Yuxi prefecture level city in Yunnan
贵溪Guixi county level city in Yingtan 鷹潭|鹰潭, Jiangxi貴溪
屯溪Tunxi district of Huangshan city 黃山市|黄山市[Huángshānshì], Anhui
本溪市Benxi prefecture-level city in Liaoning province 遼寧省|辽宁省 in northeast China
巫溪Wushi county in Wanzhou suburbs of north Chongqing municipality, formerly in Sichuan
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 溪 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 谿
It is pronounced as 'xī', with a high and level tone.
No, 谿 is mostly used in literary contexts and is less common in everyday speech.
You can look at words like 溪水 (xīshuǐ) meaning 'stream', which includes the character 谿.
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