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阏 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
阏èto block, to obstruct, to stop upx, 11 strokes, radical 门
阏èto restrainunknown, 11 strokes, radical 门
阏èto controlunknown, 11 strokes, radical 门
阏yānto block, to obstruct, to stop upx, 11 strokes, radical 门
阏yānto restrainunknown, 11 strokes, radical 门
阏yānto controlunknown, 11 strokes, radical 门
è(e4)e
primary
T4
  1. 1to block, to obstruct, to stop up
  2. 2to restrain
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March 24, 2026

阏(閼)è(e4)

The character 阏 (è) means to block, obstruct, or stop up something. It is often used in contexts where something prevents movement or progress, such as blocking a road or obstructing communication. This character can also imply restraint or control over a situation or object.

Strokes11Radical门
Cultural note

In ancient Chinese literature, 阏 is sometimes associated with the concept of barriers or control in governance, reflecting historical themes of power and restriction. It can also relate to various philosophical ideas about the balance of forces.

Memory tip

Imagine a heavy gate (阝) blocking a road, preventing any cars from passing. The sound 'è' can remind you of the sound of an engine being halted, emphasizing the blockage.

Meanings of 阏

è(e4)
primary
1to block, to obstruct, to stop up
2to restrain
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 阏

阏Simplified
閼Traditional
11Strokes
门Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 阏

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Podcast: 阏

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AI Study Notes for 阏

Usage Notes

Be cautious about the context in which you use 阏, as it can have a slightly formal tone. It commonly appears in literary or historical contexts rather than everyday conversation. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like '恶' (è), which means 'evil.'

HSK Study Tips

While 阏 is not part of HSK vocabulary, it can enrich your understanding of words related to obstruction at higher levels. Focus on recognizing its components and how they relate to similar characters like '阻' (zǔ) meaning 'to obstruct.'

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 阏 with 阻 (zǔ), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying 阏路 (è lù) instead of 阻路 (zǔ lù) for 'block the road' can create confusion.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 阏

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Etymology of 阏

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

gate

Semantic (meaning)门
+
Phonetic (sound)於
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

阏 = 门 + 於. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 阏

IDS Structure⿵门於
阏Full character
=
门Men2
enclosing
於yu2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 阏?

How to say to block, to obstruct, to stop up in Chinese

“to block, to obstruct, to stop up” in Chinese is阏è

The character 阏 (è) means to block, obstruct, or stop up something. It is often used in contexts where something prevents movement or progress, such as blocking a road or obstructing communication. This character can also imply restraint or control over a situation or object.

When to use 阏

Be cautious about the context in which you use 阏, as it can have a slightly formal tone. It commonly appears in literary or historical contexts rather than everyday conversation. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like '恶' (è), which means 'evil.'

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 阏 with 阻 (zǔ), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying 阏路 (è lù) instead of 阻路 (zǔ lù) for 'block the road' can create confusion.

Write 阏

阏

Practice writing 阏 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 阏

Words containing this character1
阏èto block閼

Frequently Asked Questions about 阏

You might say 阏住了入口 (è zhù le rùkǒu), which means 'blocked the entrance.'

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