闸 (zhá) - A sluice, floodgate, or lock & a brake (in mechanics)

闸Tone 2

zhá ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 门

悦丈

闸 · zhá

A sluice, floodgate, or lock;

a brake (in mechanics);

a switch (in electronics).

A sluice, floodgate, or locka brake (in mechanics)a switch (in electronics).

Usage highlights

Sluice gateBrakeSwitchLock gateFloodgateGate valve

Synonyms

  • 门— gate, door (general term)
  • 阀— valve (in mechanics)

Antonyms

  • 开— open (antonym to the closing function of a gate)
  • 放— release, let go (antonym to the restraining function)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • They opened the sluice gate (闸门) to release the water.
  • He applied the handbrake (手闸) to stop the car.
  • The electrician checked the switch (电闸) in the circuit.

Collocations

  • Sluice gate(闸门)
  • Brake(刹车闸)
  • Switch(电闸)
  • Lock gate(船闸)
  • Floodgate(水闸)
  • Gate valve(闸阀)

Idioms

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

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically crucial for water management in China's extensive canal and irrigation systems.
  • The character's structure reflects a gate (门) that can be closed or opened to control flow.

FAQ