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斜 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
斜xiéinclinedHSK 5, v, 11 strokes, radical 斗, rank #11087, Hard
斜xiéslantingHSK 5, v, 11 strokes, radical 斗, rank #11087, Hard
斜xiéobliqueHSK 5, v, 11 strokes, radical 斗, rank #11087, Hard
斜xiétiltingHSK 5, v, 11 strokes, radical 斗, rank #11087, Hard
斜xiéslanting, sloping, inclinedHSK 5, v, 11 strokes, radical 斗, rank #11087, Hard
xié(xie2) T2
  1. 1inclined
  2. 2slanting
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
斜xié(xie2)

The character 斜 (xié) refers to something that is not perpendicular or horizontal, but rather inclined or slanting. It is commonly used to describe angles, the position of objects, or even figurative meanings such as slanted opinions or perspectives.

Strokes11Radical斗Frequency#11087DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese architecture, the concept of slanting roofs is significant, often symbolizing protection from the elements while also reflecting aesthetic values. This style is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese design principles.

Memory Tip

Imagine a slanted roof where one side is higher than the other, creating an斜 (xié) angle. The left part of the character resembles a roof, while the right part symbolizes the slant, helping you to remember both its form and meaning.

Meanings of 斜

xié(xie2)
1inclined
2slanting
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 斜

斜Simplified
11Strokes
斗Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#11087Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 斜

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Podcast: 斜

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AI Study Notes for 斜

Quick Contrast

倾 (qīng) - use 斜 (xié) when describing angles or positions, while 倾 (qīng) often implies a more pronounced tilt or leaning.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a slanted roof where one side is higher than the other, creating an斜 (xié) angle. The left part of the character resembles a roof, while the right part symbolizes the slant, helping you to remember both its form and meaning.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 斜 (xié) with similar-sounding characters. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but when describing physical positions, it is more common in technical or descriptive language. Collocations include 斜坡 (sloped ground) and 斜视 (to look askance).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 斜 (xié) connects with other words that describe position and direction, such as 直 (zhí, straight) and 垂直 (chuízhí, vertical). Students should focus on using it in context, especially in sentences that describe shapes or orientations.

Cultural Note

In Chinese architecture, the concept of slanting roofs is significant, often symbolizing protection from the elements while also reflecting aesthetic values. This style is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese design principles.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 斜 (xié) with 直 (zhí) when describing directions. For example, saying '我走在斜路上' (I walk on a slanted road) instead of '我走在直路上' (I walk on a straight road) is a common error.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 斜

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Etymology of 斜

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 斗 represents the meaning and 余 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

measuring cup

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 斜?

Decomposition of 斜

IDS Structure⿰余斗
斜Full Character
=
余Yu2
left
斗Dou3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 斜?

Write 斜

斜

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

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Grammar Patterns of 斜

斜 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 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 4

Complete the Sentence

地板是平的，但天花板朝他的头这边倾____。

The floor was level, but the ceiling sloped toward his head.

Example Sentences for 斜 (10)

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1
地板是平的，但天花板朝他的头这边倾斜。

dì bǎn shì píng de， ， dàn tiān huā bǎn zhāo tā de tóu zhè biān qīng。

The floor was level, but the ceiling sloped toward his head.
2
拐过斜弯时他竭力将自行车把稳。

guǎi guò xié wān shí tā jié lì jiāng zì háng chē bǎ wěn。

He struggled to hold the bike down on the banked corners.
3
床单有漂亮的方格形、条纹、斜纹和三角形图案。

chuáng dān yǒu piāo liàng de fāng gé xíng、 、 tiáo、 wén 、 xié wén hé sān jiǎo xíng。

The bed linen is patterned in stylish checks, stripes, diagonals and triangles.
4
大楼主体的斜墙给人造成一种视错觉。

dà lóu zhǔ tǐ de xié qiáng gěi rén zào chéng yī zhǒng shì cuò jué。

Sloping walls on the bulk of the building create an optical illusion.
5
那棵树倾斜得非常厉害。

nà kē shù qīng xié dé fēi cháng lì hài。

The tree was leaning at a low angle from the ground.
6
“你会下棋吗？”他斜睨着米格尔问道。

“ “ nǐ huì xià qí？” ma ？” tā xié nì zháo mǐ gé ěr。

"Do you play chess?" he asked, looking askance at Miguel.
7
他不明白为什么他的计算器上面的数字向右倾斜。

tā bù míng bái wéi shí mó tā de jì suàn qì shàng miàn de shù zì xiàng yòu qīng xié。

He wonders why the digits on his calculator slope to the right.
8
翻身跃过栅栏后，他便朝斜穿围场的方向走去。

fān shēn yuè guò zhà lán hòu， ， tā biàn zhāo xié chuān wéi cháng de fāng xiàng zǒu。

Vaulting the stile, he headed diagonally across the paddock.
9
直升机在恢复平稳之前倾斜得很厉害。

zhí shēng jī zài huī fù píng wěn zhī qián qīng xié dé hěn lì hài。

The helicopter turned at an awful angle before righting itself.
10
跑道两侧都是很陡的斜坡。

pǎo dào liǎng cè dū shì hěn dǒu de xié pō。

On either side of the tracks the ground fell away sharply.

Cultural Notes for 斜

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese architecture, the concept of slanting roofs is significant, often symbolizing protection from the elements while also reflecting aesthetic values. This style is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese design principles.

Word Family of 斜

Words Containing This Character20
斜xiéinclined
倾斜qīngxiéto incline傾斜
斜坡slope
斜眼to look askance
斜视a squint斜視
斜线diagonal line斜線
斜面inclined plane
倾斜度slope傾斜度
斜阳setting sun斜陽
斜边sloping side斜邊
斜率slope
歪斜crooked
斜角bevel angle
斜塔leaning tower
歪歪斜斜shuddering
斜度slope
偏斜crooked
目不斜视to gaze fixedly目不斜視
向斜syncline (geology)
斜长石plagioclase (rock-forming mineral, type of feldspar)斜長石
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 斜 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 斜

While both refer to an incline, 斜 (xié) is more general, whereas 倾斜 (qīngxié) often implies a more pronounced or intentional tilt.