unknown, 10 strokes, radical 山, rank #58253, Very Hard
é(e2) T2
1lofty; the name of a mountain
2name of a mountain
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
峨é(e2)
The character 峨 (é) primarily means 'lofty' or 'steep,' often used to describe mountains or elevated landscapes. It is also the name of specific mountains in China, such as Mount Emei, which is famous for its Buddhist culture. This word conveys a sense of grandeur and elevation, often associated with natural beauty.
Strokes10Radical山Frequency#58253DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
Mount Emei, associated with the character 峨, is one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It reflects the historical and spiritual significance of mountains in Chinese culture, where they are often seen as places of meditation and enlightenment.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tall, majestic mountain looming above you, its name starting with the sound 'é' like 'air,' which you feel as you look up. The radical 山 (shān), meaning mountain, is embedded in the character, reinforcing its connection to lofty terrains. Picture the mountain's steep slopes as reaching up to the sky, emphasizing its height.
Meanings of 峨
é(e2)
1lofty; the name of a mountain
2name of a mountain
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 峨 means.
About 峨
峨Simplified
10Strokes
山Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 峨
Podcast: 峨
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 峨
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 峨 with other mountain-related characters, such as 高 (gāo, 'high') or 高耸 (gāosǒng, 'towering'). While 峨 specifically refers to the steepness and loftiness of a mountain, it's important to use it in appropriate contexts, typically in more formal or literary settings. Be cautious with tone, ensuring to pronounce it with the rising tone (é).
HSK Study Tips
Although 峨 is not categorized under the HSK levels, it connects to the themes of nature and geography, common in HSK vocabulary. Students should focus on related terms like 山 (shān, 'mountain') and 高 (gāo, 'high') to build a contextual understanding of elevation and landscape.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes mistakenly use 峨 when describing things that are high but not steep, such as buildings. For example, saying '这座楼很峨' (zhè zuò lóu hěn é, 'this building is very lofty') is incorrect; it should be '高' (gāo) instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 峨
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 峨 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 峨 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Etymology of 峨
Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声å—)~80-90% of characters
Explanation
Phonosemantic compound. 山 represents the meaning and 我 represents the sound. Simplified form of 峩.
峨 = 山 + 我. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 峨
IDS Structure⿰山我
峨Full Character
=
山Shan1
left
我wo3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 峨?
How to say lofty; the name of a mountain in Chinese
“lofty; the name of a mountain” in Chinese is峨é
The character 峨 (é) primarily means 'lofty' or 'steep,' often used to describe mountains or elevated landscapes. It is also the name of specific mountains in China, such as Mount Emei, which is famous for its Buddhist culture. This word conveys a sense of grandeur and elevation, often associated with natural beauty.
When to use 峨
Learners often confuse 峨 with other mountain-related characters, such as 高 (gāo, 'high') or 高耸 (gāosǒng, 'towering'). While 峨 specifically refers to the steepness and loftiness of a mountain, it's important to use it in appropriate contexts, typically in more formal or literary settings. Be cautious with tone, ensuring to pronounce it with the rising tone (é).
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes mistakenly use 峨 when describing things that are high but not steep, such as buildings. For example, saying '这座楼很峨' (zhè zuò lóu hěn é, 'this building is very lofty') is incorrect; it should be '高' (gāo) instead.
Write 峨
峨
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 峨 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Ask Jason
Have a question about 峨?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Cultural Notes for 峨
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
The appreciation of mountains in Chinese culture often intertwines with spiritual beliefs, while in Western cultures, mountains may be viewed more as recreational sites for hiking and adventure.
Word Family of 峨
Words Containing This Character12
峨élofty
峨眉Emei township in Hsinchu County 新竹縣|新竹县[XīnzhúXiàn], northwest Taiwan
巍峨lofty
峨眉山Emeishan city
峨眉山市Emeishan county level city in Leshan 樂山|乐山[Lèshān], Sichuan
天峨县Tian'e county in Hezhou 賀州|贺州[Hèzhōu], Guangxi天峨縣
峨冠博带official class峨冠博帶
峨山县Eshan Yizu autonomous county in Yuxi 玉溪[Yùxī], Yunnan峨山縣
天峨Tian'e county in Hezhou 賀州|贺州[Hèzhōu], Guangxi
峨边县Ebian Yizu autonomous county in Leshan 樂山|乐山[Lèshān], Sichuan峨邊縣
峨山彝族自治县Eshan Yizu autonomous county in Yuxi 玉溪[Yùxī], Yunnan峨山彞族自治縣
峨边彝族自治县Ebian Yizu autonomous county in Leshan 樂山|乐山[Lèshān], Sichuan峨邊彞族自治縣
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 峨
What does 峨眉 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 峨
While not commonly used in casual dialogue, it may appear in discussions about geography or literature, especially when describing majestic landscapes.
It primarily describes mountains and steepness; using it for other contexts may sound unusual.
You might encounter it in poetic expressions or historical texts, but it's less common in modern phrases.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 峨?
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.
