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埝 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
埝niàndike, embankment; protuberancezg, 11 strokes, radical 土
niàn(nian4) T4
  1. 1dike, embankment; protuberance
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

埝niàn(nian4)

The character 埝 (niàn) refers to a dike or embankment, structures typically built to control water flow or prevent flooding. It can also denote a protuberance or raised area in the ground. This term is commonly used in agricultural contexts, especially in regions where irrigation and water management are crucial.

Strokes11Radical土
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese farming practices, managing water through dikes and embankments has been vital for crop success, reflecting the importance of agriculture in Chinese culture. Festivals often celebrate the harvest, highlighting the significance of these structures.

Memory Tip

Think of the radical 土 (tǔ), which means 'earth' or 'ground,' combined with the character for 'year' 年 (nián), to visualize a raised earth structure like a dike that protects crops from floods over the years. Imagine a farmer proudly highlighting their embankment as a crucial part of their farm's success.

Meanings of 埝

niàn(nian4)
1dike, embankment; protuberance
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 埝

埝Simplified
11Strokes
土Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 埝

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Podcast: 埝

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AI Study Notes for 埝

Usage Notes

A common mistake is confusing 埝 with similar-sounding characters. It's important to use it in the correct context related to water management. The character is typically used in formal contexts, like agriculture or geography, rather than everyday conversation.

HSK Study Tips

Although 埝 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects well with words related to agriculture, nature, and geography, such as 土 (earth) and 水 (water). Students should focus on understanding its applications in environmental discussions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 埝 as nián instead of niàn. Additionally, they might confuse it with characters like 堤 (dī), which also relates to water structures but has a different meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 埝

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Etymology of 埝

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

earth

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 埝

  1. 1The meaning half土 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half念 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 埝? 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 埝?

Decomposition of 埝

IDS Structure⿰土念
埝Full Character
=
土Tu3
left
念nian4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 埝?

How to say dike, embankment; protuberance in Chinese

“dike, embankment; protuberance” in Chinese is埝niàn

The character 埝 (niàn) refers to a dike or embankment, structures typically built to control water flow or prevent flooding. It can also denote a protuberance or raised area in the ground. This term is commonly used in agricultural contexts, especially in regions where irrigation and water management are crucial.

When to use 埝

A common mistake is confusing 埝 with similar-sounding characters. It's important to use it in the correct context related to water management. The character is typically used in formal contexts, like agriculture or geography, rather than everyday conversation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mispronounce 埝 as nián instead of niàn. Additionally, they might confuse it with characters like 堤 (dī), which also relates to water structures but has a different meaning.

Write 埝

埝

Practice writing 埝 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 埝

Words Containing This Character1
埝niàndike around a paddy field
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 埝 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 埝

While not commonly used in everyday conversation, it is significant in agricultural discussions regarding water management.

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