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山谷 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
山谷shāngǔvalleyHSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #6891, Very Hard
山谷shāngǔravineHSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #6891, Very Hard
shāngǔ(shan1gu3)shan gu T1
  1. 1valley
  2. 2ravine
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March 24, 2026

山谷shāngǔ(shan1gu3)

山谷 (shān gǔ) refers to a valley or ravine, a low area of land between hills or mountains, often with a river or stream flowing through it. It is commonly used in geographical contexts, describing natural landscapes and can also be used metaphorically to represent a low point in life or a situation.

Strokes10Frequency#6891DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, valleys are often seen as places of tranquility and beauty, frequently depicted in traditional poetry and art. The famous landscape of 山水 (shān shuǐ) emphasizes the harmony between mountains and valleys, symbolizing balance in nature.

Memory Tip

Imagine a giant '山' (mountain) on either side of a '谷' (gorge) where water flows. Picture the mountains towering over the valley, and remember that '山' represents heights while '谷' signifies the low area in between, helping you associate the pronunciation 'shan' with the mountain and 'gu' with the gorge.

Meanings of 山谷

shāngǔ(shan1gu3)
1valley
2ravine
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About 山谷

山谷Simplified
10Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

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Podcast: 山谷

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AI Study Notes for 山谷

Quick Contrast

山坳 (shān'āo) refers specifically to a hollow or depression in the landscape, while 山谷 (shāngǔ) refers to a valley that is typically broader and may have a river flowing through it.

Usage Notes

When using 山谷, ensure to differentiate it from similar terms like '峡谷' (xiágǔ) which specifically means canyon. The phrase is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings, often appearing in conversations about nature, geography, and outdoor activities.

HSK Study Tips

Though 山谷 is not listed in the official HSK vocabulary, its components '山' and '谷' are commonly found in HSK Level 1. Students should focus on recognizing these components as they frequently appear in other words related to nature and geography.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 山谷 with similar terms like 谷 (gǔ) alone, which means 'valley' without the mountain context. For example, saying '我住在谷' instead of '我住在山谷' (I live in a valley) is incorrect as it loses the imagery of the mountains.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 山谷

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Component Characters

山shānmountain
HSK 33 strokes山
View full entry
谷gǔgrain
7 strokes谷
View full entry

How to say valley in Chinese

“valley” in Chinese is山谷shāngǔ

山谷 (shān gǔ) refers to a valley or ravine, a low area of land between hills or mountains, often with a river or stream flowing through it. It is commonly used in geographical contexts, describing natural landscapes and can also be used metaphorically to represent a low point in life or a situation.

When to use 山谷

When using 山谷, ensure to differentiate it from similar terms like '峡谷' (xiágǔ) which specifically means canyon. The phrase is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings, often appearing in conversations about nature, geography, and outdoor activities.

山谷 or something close to it

山坳 (shān'āo) refers specifically to a hollow or depression in the landscape, while 山谷 (shāngǔ) refers to a valley that is typically broader and may have a river flowing through it.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 山谷 with similar terms like 谷 (gǔ) alone, which means 'valley' without the mountain context. For example, saying '我住在谷' instead of '我住在山谷' (I live in a valley) is incorrect as it loses the imagery of the mountains.

Write 山谷

山
谷

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Frequently Asked Questions about 山谷

山谷里有一条小河流过。 (There is a small river flowing through the valley.)

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