峭 (qiào) - steep, precipitous, cliff & severe, stern

峭Tone 4

qiào ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

器情

峭 · qiào

steep, precipitous, cliff;

severe, stern

steep, precipitous, cliffsevere, stern

Usage highlights

steep cliffprecipitous peaksteep slopestern expressionsevere coldprecipitous and dangerous

Synonyms

  • 陡— steep, precipitous
  • 峻— high and steep, severe
  • 险— dangerous, perilous (of terrain)

Antonyms

  • 平— flat, level
  • 缓— gentle, slow
  • 坦— smooth, level

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The mountain path is very steep (山路很峭).
  • They climbed the precipitous cliff (他们攀登了峭壁).
  • His expression was stern (他的表情峭厉).
  • The cold wind was biting (寒风峭厉).

Collocations

  • steep cliff(峭壁)
  • precipitous peak(峭峰)
  • steep slope(峭坡)
  • stern expression(峭容)
  • severe cold(峭寒)
  • precipitous and dangerous(峭险)

Idioms

  • Steep cliffs and deep valleys(峭壁深谷)
  • Stern and upright character(峭直刚正)
  • Precipitous and perilous terrain(峭险难行)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used in classical Chinese poetry and landscape descriptions to depict majestic, imposing natural scenery.
  • In character descriptions, conveys qualities of sternness, integrity, and unyielding principle.
  • Associated with the aesthetic of the 'sublime' in traditional Chinese landscape painting and literature.

FAQ