磧 (qì) - Desert & moraine

磧Tone 4

qì ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

器情

磧 · qì

Desert;

moraine;

gravel;

sandbank;

a barren, rocky area.

Desertmorainegravel

Usage highlights

Gravel desertGlacial moraineRiver sandbankDesert regionBarren landGravel bed

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 沃— fertile
  • 泽— marsh; fertile land

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The expedition crossed the gravel desert (沙磧).
  • Glacial moraines are found in high mountains (冰磧).
  • The river's sandbank was exposed in the dry season (河磧).
  • The arid region was a vast stony waste (磧漠).

Collocations

  • Gravel desert(沙磧)
  • Glacial moraine(冰磧)
  • River sandbank(河磧)
  • Desert region(磧漠)
  • Barren land(磧地)
  • Gravel bed(磧石)

Idioms

  • Crossing the desert and entering the sea(度磧入海)
  • Braving the sands and risking the waves(涉磧冒险)
  • Treading frost and crossing moraines(踏霜度磧)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used in geographical descriptions of the harsh western regions of China, like the Taklamakan Desert.
  • Appears in classical Chinese poetry and travelogues to evoke images of desolate, challenging landscapes.
  • The character reflects the traditional Chinese geographical understanding of arid and glacial environments.

FAQ