Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
押 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
押
yā
to mortgage
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)ya T1
1to mortgage
2to pawn
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 押 means.
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
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
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
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 押, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 押 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 押?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 押 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
押 = 扌 + 甲. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 押
IDS Structure⿰扌甲
押Full character
=
扌shou3
left
甲jia3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part 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
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 押 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
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
Which one
Which one 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
Get it right
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
