埡 (yā) - A narrow mountain pass & a depression or low-lying area between hills

埡Tone 1

yā ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

信嫣

埡 · yā

A narrow mountain pass;

a depression or low-lying area between hills;

used in geographical names.

A narrow mountain passa depression or low-lying area between hillsused in geographical names.

Usage highlights

Mountain passPass ridgePass nameWind gapPass roadStone pass

Synonyms

  • 隘— narrow pass; strategic point
  • 山口— mountain pass

Antonyms

  • 峰— peak; summit
  • 顶— top; summit

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The mountain pass is called Yazi (垭子).
  • We crossed the Huangniba Pass (黄泥巴垭).
  • This area is a natural depression (垭口).
  • The village is located beyond the pass (过垭村).

Collocations

  • Mountain pass(垭口)
  • Pass ridge(垭脊)
  • Pass name(垭子)
  • Wind gap(风垭)
  • Pass road(垭路)
  • Stone pass(石垭)

Idioms

  • Crossing the mountain pass(翻山越垭)
  • The strategic pass(险要垭口)
  • Between hills and passes(山垭之间)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Common in Southwest Chinese toponymy, especially in Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou provinces.
  • Reflects the mountainous terrain where settlements and roads often pass through saddles between peaks.
  • Frequently appears in local place names to denote a geographical feature rather than having deep cultural symbolism.

FAQ