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狭窄 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
狭窄xiázhǎinarrowHSK 7, a, rank #15030, Hard
xiázhǎi(xia2zhai3) T2
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March 24, 2026
狭窄(狹窄)xiázhǎi(xia2zhai3)

The term '狭窄' (xiázhǎi) describes something that is narrow or constricted in width. It is commonly used to refer to physical spaces, such as hallways or streets, as well as metaphorical contexts, like narrow-mindedness in opinions or perspectives.

Frequency#15030DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of '狭窄' can also extend to social interactions, where being '狭窄' in thinking may be viewed negatively, highlighting the value placed on open-mindedness and broad perspectives.

Memory Tip

Imagine a narrow alleyway where two people can't pass each other, representing '狭窄'. The character '狭' looks like a person stuck between two walls, while '窄' has '土' (earth) beneath, suggesting a limited space. Together, they paint a picture of confinement.

Meanings of 狭窄

xiázhǎi(xia2zhai3)
1narrow
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About 狭窄

狭窄Simplified
狹窄Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#15030Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 狭窄

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Podcast: 狭窄

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AI Study Notes for 狭窄

Quick Contrast

窄 (zhǎi) refers specifically to narrowness in width, while 狭窄 (xiázhǎi) conveys a stronger sense of constriction or limitation.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a narrow alleyway where two people can't pass each other, representing '狭窄'. The character '狭' looks like a person stuck between two walls, while '窄' has '土' (earth) beneath, suggesting a limited space. Together, they paint a picture of confinement.

Usage Notes

'狭窄' is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but be careful not to confuse it with '狭小' (xiáxiǎo), which emphasizes smallness more than narrowness. Common collocations include '狭窄的空间' (narrow space) and '思想狭窄' (narrow-minded).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, '狭窄' builds upon vocabulary related to dimensions and qualities. Students should connect it with other descriptive adjectives and practice using it in various contexts to enhance their expressive capabilities.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of '狭窄' can also extend to social interactions, where being '狭窄' in thinking may be viewed negatively, highlighting the value placed on open-mindedness and broad perspectives.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '狭窄' with '宽广' (kuānguǎng), which means broad or wide. For instance, saying '这个地方很宽狭' (This place is very wide and narrow) is incorrect; it should simply state '这个地方很狭窄' (This place is very narrow).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 狭窄

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Component Characters

狭xiánarrow
9 strokes犭
View full entry
窄zhǎinarrow
HSK 510 strokes穴
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Write 狭窄

狭
窄

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

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Grammar Patterns of 狭窄

狭窄 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 5

Complete the Sentence

在这条____的走廊上，不断有人撞到我。

Various men kept banging into me in the narrow corridor.

Example Sentences for 狭窄 (10)

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1
在这条狭窄的走廊上，不断有人撞到我。

zài zhè tiáo xiá zhǎi de zǒu láng shàng， ， bù duàn yǒu rén zhuàng dào。

Various men kept banging into me in the narrow corridor.
2
他被指无趣乏味，古板守旧，心胸狭窄。

tā bèi zhǐ wú qù fá wèi， ， gǔ bǎn shǒu， jiù ， xīn xiōng。

He was criticised for being boring, strait-laced and narrow-minded.
3
他转向自己居住的那条夹在排房间的狭窄街道。

tā zhuǎn xiàng zì jǐ jū zhù de nà tiáo jiā zài pái fáng jiān de xiá zhǎi jiē dào。

He turned into the narrow terraced street where he lived.
4
帆船停泊在狭窄的水道上。

fān chuán tíng bó zài xiá zhǎi de shuǐ dào shàng。

Sailing boats lay at anchor in the narrow waterway.
5
他们在狭窄的街道上和警察打起了游击战。

tā mén zài xiá zhǎi de jiē dào shàng hé jǐng chá dǎ qǐ le yóu jī zhàn。

They fought running battles in the narrow streets with police.
6
他从围栏上的狭窄缺口里挤了过去。

tā cóng wéi lán shàng de xiá zhǎi quē kǒu lǐ jǐ le guò qù。

He squeezed through a narrow opening in the fence.
7
夜幕渐渐降临，我们驱车在狭窄的胡同里缓慢前行。

yè mù jiàn jiàn jiàng lín， ， wǒ mén qū chē zài xiá zhǎi de hú tóng lǐ huǎn màn qián。

As the dusk shaded into night, we drove slowly through narrow alleys.
8
他和其他10名犯人被囚禁在一间狭窄的牢房里。

tā hé qí tā10 10 míng fàn rén bèi qiú jīn zài yī jiān xiá zhǎi de láo fáng。

He is cooped up in a cramped cell with 10 other inmates.
9
他们冲下楼梯，来到狭窄、肮脏的街上。

tā mén chōng xià lóu tī， ， lái dào xiá、 zhǎi 、 āng zāng de。

They chased down the stairs into the narrow, dirty street.
10
卡车疯狂地左摇右晃，从狭窄的山路上急冲而下。

kǎ chē fēng kuáng dì zuǒ yáo yòu huǎng， ， cóng xiá zhǎi de shān lù shàng jí chōng ér。

The truck sways wildly, careening down narrow mountain roads.

Cultural Notes for 狭窄

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of '狭窄' can also extend to social interactions, where being '狭窄' in thinking may be viewed negatively, highlighting the value placed on open-mindedness and broad perspectives.

Frequently Asked Questions about 狭窄

'狭窄' specifically refers to narrowness, while '狭小' emphasizes smallness. Use '狭窄' for width and '狭小' for overall size.