堑 (qiàn) - Moat, trench, chasm & also refers to a pitfall or difficulty.

堑Tone 4

qiàn ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

器情

堑 · qiàn

Moat, trench, chasm;

also refers to a pitfall or difficulty.

Moat, trench, chasmalso refers to a pitfall or difficulty.

Usage highlights

MoatTrench warfareTo dig a trenchChasmDefensive trenchLearn from a setback

Synonyms

  • 壕— trench, ditch
  • 沟— ditch, gully
  • 壑— ravine, gully

Antonyms

  • 坦途— smooth road, easy path
  • 通途— thoroughfare, open road

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The castle was surrounded by a deep moat (堑壕).
  • They dug a trench (挖堑) for defensive purposes.
  • This experience taught me a lesson (吃一堑，长一智).
  • The project faced many difficulties (重重沟堑).

Collocations

  • Moat(堑壕)
  • Trench warfare(堑壕战)
  • To dig a trench(挖堑)
  • Chasm(沟堑)
  • Defensive trench(防御堑)
  • Learn from a setback(吃堑长智)

Idioms

  • A fall into a pit, a gain in your wit(吃一堑，长一智)
  • Natural chasms and fortified passes(天堑要塞)
  • The Yangtze River natural barrier(长江天堑)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used in military contexts for defensive trenches and moats around fortifications.
  • In Chinese philosophy, used metaphorically for obstacles and difficulties one must overcome.
  • Appears in the famous idiom about learning from mistakes and setbacks.

FAQ