閘 (zhá) - Gate & sluice

閘Tone 2

zhá ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

悦丈

閘 · zhá

Gate;

sluice;

floodgate;

dam;

brake;

switch;

valve;

to block or control flow.

Gatesluicefloodgate

Usage highlights

FloodgateBrakeShip lockElectric switchGate valveSluice gate

Synonyms

  • 门— gate, door (general term)
  • 关— pass, checkpoint (mountain pass)

Antonyms

  • 开— open (opposite of closing a gate)
  • 放— release, let go (opposite of blocking flow)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The ship passed through the lock gate (船闸).
  • He pressed the brake pedal (刹车闸).
  • Close the floodgate to control water flow (水闸).
  • The electric switch is broken (电闸).

Collocations

  • Floodgate(水闸)
  • Brake(刹车闸)
  • Ship lock(船闸)
  • Electric switch(电闸)
  • Gate valve(闸阀)
  • Sluice gate(闸门)

Idioms

  • Pull the emergency brake(拉闸)
  • Open the gate to release water(开闸放水)
  • Close the gate to store water(关闸蓄水)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to wooden gates used in water control systems in ancient China.
  • Technologically extended to mean brakes in vehicles and switches in electrical systems.
  • Represents control mechanisms in both hydraulic engineering and modern machinery.

FAQ