压

壓

yā, yà

厂 + 圡

HSK 3.0Level 4

Definitions

yā (verb) to press; to push down; to suppress; to keep under control

yā (noun) pressure

Etymology

Simplified form of 壓. Phonosemantic compound. 土 represents the meaning and 厌 represents the sound.

About

压 is the simplified form of the traditional character 壓, a phono-semantic compound that originally combined the earth radical 土 at the bottom, indicating ground or heavy soil, with the phonetic element 厭 (meaning to detest or be satiated). The simplified structure replaces the complex 厭 with the component 厂 (cliff), retaining 土 beneath to create a more streamlined form. The core meaning has consistently revolved around physical actions of pressing down, applying weight, or crushing, and by metaphorical extension, oppression or suppression.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Xin dynasty (9-23 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这本书压在桌子上。

Zhè běn shū yā zài zhuōzi shàng.

This book is pressed on the table.

他用手压住了那张纸。

Tā yòng shǒu yā zhù le nà zhāng zhǐ.

He used his hand to hold down that piece of paper.

工作压力让我很累。

Gōngzuò yālì ràng wǒ hěn lèi.

Work pressure makes me very tired.

压缩文件可以节省空间。

Yāsuō wénjiàn kěyǐ jiéshěng kōngjiān.

Compressing files can save space.

他压抑着自己的情绪。

Tā yāyì zhe zìjǐ de qíngxù.

He is suppressing his emotions.

压岁钱是春节的传统。

Yāsuìqián shì chūnjié de chuántǒng.

Lucky money is a tradition of Spring Festival.

这场表演的压轴节目很精彩。

Zhè chǎng biǎoyǎn de yāzhòu jiémù hěn jīngcǎi.

The grand finale of this performance is very exciting.

巨大的困难压不倒我们。

Jùdà de kùnnan yā bù dǎo wǒmen.

Great difficulties cannot overwhelm us.

Related Characters

Component: 厂

Component: 圡

压