谿 (xī) - Valley, gorge, ravine & also used metaphorically in philosophical contexts to refer

谿Tone 1

xī ｜ 17 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

谿 · xī

Valley, gorge, ravine;

also used metaphorically in philosophical contexts to refer to a state of emptiness or receptivity.

Valley, gorge, ravinealso used metaphorically in philosophical contexts to refer

Usage highlights

Mountain valleyGorge and streamValley and gullyDeep ravineValley sound

Synonyms

  • 谷— valley
  • 溪— stream, creek (more common modern form)
  • 壑— gully, ravine

Antonyms

  • 峰— peak, summit
  • 山— mountain

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The hikers explored the deep mountain valley (谿谷).
  • The river flows through a narrow gorge (谿涧).
  • Taoist philosophy values the emptiness of the valley (虚怀若谷, using the concept).

Collocations

  • Mountain valley(山谿)
  • Gorge and stream(谿涧)
  • Valley and gully(谿壑)
  • Deep ravine(深谿)
  • Valley sound(谿声)

Idioms

  • High mountains and long valleys(高山深谿)
  • To fill a valley(填谿)
  • Valley spirit(谿神)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Appears in classical Chinese literature and poetry to describe natural landscapes.
  • Used in Taoist philosophy as a metaphor for emptiness and receptivity, akin to the concept of the 'uncarved block'.
  • Sometimes used interchangeably with the more common character 溪 (xī) in modern contexts, though 谿 retains a more classical feel.

FAQ