峽 (xiá) - gorge, ravine, strait — refers to a narrow

峽Tone 2

xiá ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

峽 · xiá

gorge, ravine, strait — refers to a narrow passage between mountains or a narrow waterway between land masses.

gorge, ravine, strait — refers to a narrow

Usage highlights

gorgestraitThree Gorgesmountain gorgegorge areaBosporus Strait

Synonyms

  • 谷— valley (broader, less narrow)
  • 涧— mountain stream, ravine (smaller scale)

Antonyms

  • 原— plain, plateau (open land)
  • 野— open field, wild country

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The Three Gorges Dam is on the Yangtze River (长江三峡).
  • The Taiwan Strait separates Taiwan from mainland China (台湾海峡).
  • We hiked through a mountain gorge (山峡).
  • The English Channel is a famous strait (英吉利海峡).

Collocations

  • gorge(峡谷)
  • strait(海峡)
  • Three Gorges(三峡)
  • mountain gorge(山峡)
  • gorge area(峡区)
  • Bosporus Strait(博斯普鲁斯海峡)

Idioms

  • The Three Gorges(三峡)
  • Gorge winds and river waves(峡风江浪)
  • Between steep cliffs and turbulent waters(峭壁峡流)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character is strongly associated with the Three Gorges (三峡) of the Yangtze River, a region of immense natural beauty and cultural significance in China.
  • In geographical names, 峡 often appears for both mountain gorges and maritime straits, reflecting its meaning of a narrow passage.
  • The construction of the Three Gorges Dam has given 峡 contemporary relevance in discussions of engineering, environment, and modernization.

FAQ