HSK 7, zg, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #4196, Very Hard
押
yā
to pawn
HSK 7, zg, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #4196, Very Hard
押
yā
to detain in custody
HSK 7, zg, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #4196, Very Hard
押
yā
to escort and protect
HSK 7, zg, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #4196, Very Hard
押
yā
(literary) to sign
HSK 7, zg, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #4196, Very Hard
押
yā
to arrest, to detain; to deposit, to pledge; mortgage
HSK 7, zg, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #4196, Very Hard
yā(ya1) T1
1to mortgage
2to pawn
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March 24, 2026
押yā(ya1)
The character 押 (yā) primarily means to mortgage or pawn an item, indicating the act of using an asset as security for a loan. It can also refer to detaining someone in custody or escorting and protecting them. This word is commonly used in legal and financial contexts, highlighting the importance of security in transactions.
Strokes8Radical扌Frequency#4196DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the practice of pawning items is common, especially in financial difficulties. Pawn shops play a significant role in urban areas, providing quick loans and reflecting a cultural attitude toward personal property and financial security.
Memory Tip
Imagine a strong hand (represented by the radical '扌' on the left side of '押') holding tightly onto a valuable item, like a pawned watch. Visualize the 'yā' sound as a deep sigh when you realize you have to mortgage something precious. This vivid imagery links the character's form to its meaning.
Meanings of 押
yā(ya1)
1to mortgage
2to pawn
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 押
押Simplified
8Strokes
扌Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#4196Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 押
Podcast: 押
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AI Study Notes for 押
Quick Contrast
担保 (dānbǎo, guarantee) — use 押 when referring specifically to mortgaging or pawning an item, while 担保 is broader and includes guaranteeing without the asset aspect.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 押 (yā) with other similar-sounding words. It is often used in formal contexts, especially in legal or financial documents. Common collocations include 押金 (yājīn, deposit) and 押票 (yāpiào, to pawn a ticket).
HSK Study Tips
Although 押 is not in the official HSK levels, it relates to vocabulary about money and legal terms, which are useful for learners at HSK 4 and above. Focus on understanding how it interacts with financial transactions and legal matters.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 押 (yā) with the similar-sounding word 牙 (yá), which means 'tooth.' For example, saying '我把我的牙押了' (I pawned my tooth) is incorrect; it should be '我把我的手表押了' (I pawned my watch).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 押
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Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 甲 represents the sound.
1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
2The sound half甲 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayhand
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 押? 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 押?
Decomposition of 押
IDS Structure⿰扌甲
押Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
甲jia3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 押?
How to say to mortgage in Chinese
“to mortgage” in Chinese is押yā
The character 押 (yā) primarily means to mortgage or pawn an item, indicating the act of using an asset as security for a loan. It can also refer to detaining someone in custody or escorting and protecting them. This word is commonly used in legal and financial contexts, highlighting the importance of security in transactions.
When to use 押
Be careful not to confuse 押 (yā) with other similar-sounding words. It is often used in formal contexts, especially in legal or financial documents. Common collocations include 押金 (yājīn, deposit) and 押票 (yāpiào, to pawn a ticket).
押 or something close to it
担保 (dānbǎo, guarantee) — use 押 when referring specifically to mortgaging or pawning an item, while 担保 is broader and includes guaranteeing without the asset aspect.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 押 (yā) with the similar-sounding word 牙 (yá), which means 'tooth.' For example, saying '我把我的牙押了' (I pawned my tooth) is incorrect; it should be '我把我的手表押了' (I pawned my watch).
Write 押
押
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Practice writing 押 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 押
押 carries 6 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他被指控为英国间谍，入狱关____了5年。
He was jailed for five years as an alleged British spy.
Common Confusions with 押
押vs压
yā
Same pronunciation but different meaning.
押vs雅
yǎ
Similar phonetics but different meanings.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to mortgage"?
or
Usage Notes for 押
Confusing 押 with similar charactersCommon Error
Learners often confuse 押 with characters like 压 or 雅 due to similar pronunciation.
1
我把我的手表押给了朋友。
I pawned my watch to a friend.
Exercise 1 of 1
Fill in the Blank
我把我的手表____给了朋友。
I pawned my watch to a friend.
Example Sentences for 押 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他被指控为英国间谍，入狱关押了5年。
tā bèi zhǐ kòng wéi yīng guó jiān dié， ， rù yù guān yā5 le。
He was jailed for five years as an alleged British spy.
2
战争爆发时，他作为敌国人士遭到关押。
zhàn zhēng bào fā shí， ， tā zuò wéi dí guó rén shì zāo dào guān。
When war broke out, he was interned as an enemy alien.
3
地方法官将可以在少年犯送押时提出附加条件。
dì fāng fǎ guān jiāng kě yǐ zài shǎo nián fàn sòng yā shí tí chū fù jiā tiáo jiàn。
Magistrates will be able to attach conditions when juveniles are remanded.
