Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
山脉(山脈)shānmài(shan1mai4)
山脉 (shān mài) refers to a series of connected mountains forming a distinct geographical feature. It is commonly used in discussions about geography, nature, and outdoor activities, highlighting the interconnectedness of mountainous regions.
Frequency#10290DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
Mountain ranges in China, such as the Himalayas and the Kunlun Mountains, are significant not only for their natural beauty but also for their cultural and historical importance, often featuring in myths and traditional beliefs.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'shanty' (山) made from 'mai' (脉) of sturdy wooden beams. Visualize these beams stretching out in a line, forming a mountain range, as they connect together like a family of peaks.
Meanings of 山脉
shānmài(shan1mai4)
1mountain range
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 山脉
山脉Simplified
山脈Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#10290Frequency Rank
条Measure Word
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 山脉
Podcast: 山脉
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 山脉
Quick Contrast
山 (shān, mountain) vs 高山 (gāoshān, high mountain) — use 山脉 for a series of mountains rather than a single peak or a specific high mountain.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'shanty' (山) made from 'mai' (脉) of sturdy wooden beams. Visualize these beams stretching out in a line, forming a mountain range, as they connect together like a family of peaks.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing '山脉'; the first character has a high tone (shān) while the second has a falling tone (mài). This term is more formal and is often used in academic or nature-related contexts. Collocations include phrases like '高山脉' (high mountain range) or '雪山脉' (snowy mountain range).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, '山脉' connects with other geographic terms you may encounter. Focus on related vocabulary such as '山' (mountain) and '河流' (river) to enhance your understanding of natural features in Chinese.
Cultural Note
Mountain ranges in China, such as the Himalayas and the Kunlun Mountains, are significant not only for their natural beauty but also for their cultural and historical importance, often featuring in myths and traditional beliefs.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '山脉' with '山' (mountain) by using it in contexts meant for single mountains. For example, saying '我去山脉' (I go to the mountain range) when they mean a single mountain would be incorrect; instead, use '我去山' (I go to the mountain).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 山脉
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 山脉 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 山脉 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 山脉
山脉 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
这座____向东延伸.
The mountain verges to the east.
Example Sentences for 山脉 (7)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这座山脉向东延伸.
zhè zuò shān mài xiàng dōng yán shēn.
The mountain verges to the east.
2
山脉以 “ 东 ” 的大陆部分是高原.
shān mài yǐ“ “” dōng ” de dà lù bù fēn shì.
The part of the continent to the " east " of the mountains is a high plateau.
3
因此,山脉是明显突出于其周围环境之上的庞大孤零的大陆块.
yīn cǐ, , shān mài shì míng xiǎn tū chū yú qí zhōu wéi huán jìng zhī shàng de páng dà gū líng de dà lù.
Thus mountains are large isolated land masses that project conspicuously above their surroundings.
4
翻越安第斯山脉的艰苦之行
fān yuè ān dì sī shān mài de jiān kǔ zhī háng
an arduous journey across the Andes
5
马西山是阿迪朗达克山脉中最高的山。
mǎ xī shān shì ā dí lǎng dá kè shān mài zhōng zuì gāo de shān。
Mount Marcy is the highest mountain in the Adirondacks.
The mountains beyond are veiled in a dreamy purple haze.
Exercise 1 of 1
Reorder the Sentence
The mountain verges to the east.
Tap tokens to build the sentence
Cultural Notes for 山脉
🏮Cultural insight
Mountain ranges in China, such as the Himalayas and the Kunlun Mountains, are significant not only for their natural beauty but also for their cultural and historical importance, often featuring in myths and traditional beliefs.
Frequently Asked Questions about 山脉
Make sure to use a high tone for '山' (shān) and a falling tone for '脉' (mài) to convey the correct meaning.
No, '山脉' specifically refers to a mountain range, while '山' refers to a single mountain.
The correct measure word for '山脉' is '条' (tiáo), often used for lines or strips.
