涧 (jiàn) - mountain stream, mountain brook, ravine & refers to a watercourse between mountains, typically smaller

涧Tone 4

jiàn ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

健傑

涧 · jiàn

mountain stream, mountain brook, ravine;

refers to a watercourse between mountains, typically smaller than a river but larger than a creek.

mountain stream, mountain brook, ravinerefers to a watercourse between mountains, typically smaller

Usage highlights

mountain streambrook waterravine bridgedeep ravinerocky streamvalley stream

Synonyms

  • 溪— brook, small stream
  • 沟— ditch, gully
  • 壑— deep ravine, gully

Antonyms

  • 峰— mountain peak (high vs. low)
  • 原— plain, flatland (flat vs. sunken)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • We followed the mountain stream (山涧) through the valley.
  • The sound of the brook (涧水) was soothing.
  • There was a small bridge over the ravine (涧沟).
  • The valley stream (溪涧) was crystal clear.

Collocations

  • mountain stream(山涧)
  • brook water(涧水)
  • ravine bridge(涧桥)
  • deep ravine(深涧)
  • rocky stream(石涧)
  • valley stream(溪涧)

Idioms

  • Pine wind and stream moon(松风水涧)
  • Mountain high and ravine deep(山高涧深)
  • Crossing mountains and fording streams(跋山涉涧)
  • Plank road across steep ravines(栈道涧壑)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Frequently appears in classical Chinese poetry and landscape painting as a symbol of natural beauty and tranquility.
  • Represents the harmony between water and mountain in traditional Chinese aesthetics.
  • Often associated with reclusive or scholarly retreats in mountainous areas.

FAQ