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垭 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
垭yā(dialect) strip of land between hillsunknown, 9 strokes, radical 土
垭yāalso pr. [ya4]unknown, 9 strokes, radical 土
垭yāused in place nameszg, 9 strokes, radical 土
yā(ya1) T1
  1. 1(dialect) strip of land between hills
  2. 2also pr. [ya4]
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March 24, 2026

垭(埡)yā(ya1)

The character 垭 (yā) primarily refers to a strip of land between hills and is often used in place names. It can denote a geographical feature that serves as a boundary or separation between elevated areas. This term is more commonly encountered in specific dialects or regional contexts rather than everyday language.

Strokes9Radical土
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, geographical features play a significant role in place names, often reflecting the landscape's characteristics. The use of 垭 in place names illustrates how the environment shapes local identity and culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a landscape where hills stand tall on either side of a narrow strip of flat land. The 'yā' (垭) sounds like 'ya' in 'yacht', which can remind you of sailing smoothly through the narrow passage between hills. Picture a yacht gliding effortlessly, highlighting the space between the elevations.

Meanings of 垭

yā(ya1)
1(dialect) strip of land between hills
2also pr. [ya4]
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 垭

垭Simplified
埡Traditional
9Strokes
土Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 垭

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Podcast: 垭

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AI Study Notes for 垭

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 垭 with similar-sounding words or characters, so being mindful of its specific usage is crucial. It is not commonly used in formal contexts but may appear in informal discussions about geography or local features. Collocations can include geographic terms and place names.

HSK Study Tips

Although 垭 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, understanding it can enhance your grasp of place names and geographical terms in Mandarin. Focus on recognizing the character in context, especially in regional discussions or when studying dialects.

Common Mistakes

Learners might mistakenly use 垭 in contexts where it doesn’t apply, such as general discussions unrelated to geography. For example, saying '我喜欢垭' (I like 垭) is incorrect unless discussing a specific geographical feature or place name.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 垭

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Etymology of 垭

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

earth

Semantic (meaning)土
+
Phonetic (sound)亚
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 垭

  1. 1The meaning half土 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half亚 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayearth
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 垭? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 垭?

Decomposition of 垭

IDS Structure⿰土亚
垭Full Character
=
土Tu3
left
亚ya4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 垭?

How to say (dialect) strip of land between hills in Chinese

“(dialect) strip of land between hills” in Chinese is垭yā

The character 垭 (yā) primarily refers to a strip of land between hills and is often used in place names. It can denote a geographical feature that serves as a boundary or separation between elevated areas. This term is more commonly encountered in specific dialects or regional contexts rather than everyday language.

When to use 垭

Learners often confuse 垭 with similar-sounding words or characters, so being mindful of its specific usage is crucial. It is not commonly used in formal contexts but may appear in informal discussions about geography or local features. Collocations can include geographic terms and place names.

What learners get wrong

Learners might mistakenly use 垭 in contexts where it doesn’t apply, such as general discussions unrelated to geography. For example, saying '我喜欢垭' (I like 垭) is incorrect unless discussing a specific geographical feature or place name.

Write 垭

垭

Practice writing 垭 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 垭

Words Containing This Character1
垭yāalso pr. [yà]埡
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 垭 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 垭

It is not commonly used in everyday conversation but refers to a geographical feature between hills.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 垭?

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