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埏 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
埏shānboundary, limitg, 9 strokes, radical 土
埏shānto mix water with clayunknown, 9 strokes, radical 土
埏yánboundary, limitg, 9 strokes, radical 土
埏yánto mix water with clayunknown, 9 strokes, radical 土
shān(shan1)
primary
T1
  1. 1boundary, limit
  2. 2to mix water with clay
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

埏shān(shan1)

The character 埏 (shān) primarily refers to the concept of a boundary or limit, often in the context of physical boundaries like land or property. Additionally, it can describe the process of mixing water with clay, emphasizing the transformative action of combining elements to create something new.

Strokes9Radical土
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese pottery, the process of mixing clay with water is essential for creating functional and artistic pieces, reflecting the importance of craftsmanship in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a clay pot being carefully shaped by hands at the boundary of a riverbank. The character 埏 consists of the radical 土 (tǔ), meaning earth or soil, suggesting the connection to clay, while the top part can be visualized as hands mixing water with clay at the edge of a boundary.

Meanings of 埏

shān(shan1)
primary
1boundary, limit
2to mix water with clay
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 埏

埏Simplified
9Strokes
土Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 埏

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Podcast: 埏

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 埏

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 埏 with similar characters like 限 (xiàn), which also means limit but in a different context. This character is more formal and specific, so it's less common in everyday conversation. Be mindful of the tone as it can change the meaning in different contexts.

HSK Study Tips

Although 埏 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance your grasp of characters related to boundaries and nature. Focus on the radicals and how they relate to earth and mixing concepts, which can help in learning other similar characters.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 埏 with 限 (xiàn) when discussing limits, leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我有几个埏' (I have a few boundaries) instead of '我有几个限' (I have a few limits) is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 埏

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Etymology of 埏

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

An earthen 土 roadblock 延

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 埏

  1. 1The giveawayAn earthen 土 roadblock 延
  2. 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.

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

Want the full history of 埏? 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 埏?

Decomposition of 埏

IDS Structure⿰土延
埏Full Character
=
土Tu3
left
延Yan2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 埏?

How to say boundary, limit in Chinese

“boundary, limit” in Chinese is埏shān

The character 埏 (shān) primarily refers to the concept of a boundary or limit, often in the context of physical boundaries like land or property. Additionally, it can describe the process of mixing water with clay, emphasizing the transformative action of combining elements to create something new.

When to use 埏

Learners often confuse 埏 with similar characters like 限 (xiàn), which also means limit but in a different context. This character is more formal and specific, so it's less common in everyday conversation. Be mindful of the tone as it can change the meaning in different contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 埏 with 限 (xiàn) when discussing limits, leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我有几个埏' (I have a few boundaries) instead of '我有几个限' (I have a few limits) is incorrect.

Write 埏

埏

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 埏

Words Containing This Character1
埏shānto mix water with clay
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 埏 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 埏

It refers to a boundary or limit, and also the process of mixing water with clay.

Jason Recommends

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Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.