堑

塹

qiàn

土 + 斩

Definitions

qiàn (bound form) moat; chasm

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 土 represents the meaning and 斩 represents the sound. Simplified form of 塹.

Semantic: 土 Phonetic: 斩

About

堑 (qiàn), the simplified form of 塹, is a phono-semantic compound where 土 (earth) provides the meaning and 斩 (zhǎn; traditional 斬) gives the sound. It denotes a moat or defensive trench. The earth radical points to excavation, while 斩, meaning 'to cut,' also suggests the digging action used to create such ditches. These deep trenches were typically dug around fortifications to hinder attackers.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

长江是一道天堑。

Chángjiāng shì yí dào tiānqiàn.

The Yangtze River is a natural moat.

古代城墙外都有护城堑。

Gǔdài chéngqiáng wài dōu yǒu hùchéngqiàn.

Ancient city walls all had protective moats outside them.

工程队正在挖掘一条深堑。

Gōngchéngduì zhèngzài wājué yì tiáo shēn qiàn.

The engineering team is digging a deep trench.

楚汉相争时，鸿沟成为军事天堑。

Chǔ Hàn xiāng zhēng shí, Hónggōu chéngwéi jūnshì tiānqiàn.

During the conflict between Chu and Han, the Hong Canal became a military barrier.

他们克服了技术上的重重堑壕。

Tāmén kèfú le jìshù shàng de chóngchóng qiànháo.

They overcame the numerous technical trenches.

这段路堑的边坡需要加固。

Zhè duàn lùqiàn de biānpō xūyào jiāgù.

The slopes of this road cut need to be reinforced.

人生的沟堑有时需要勇气才能跨越。

Rénshēng de gōuqiàn yǒushí xūyào yǒngqì cáinéng kuàyuè.

The trenches in life sometimes require courage to cross.

工程师们设计了一条穿过山脊的路堑。

Gōngchéngshīmen shèjì le yì tiáo chuānguò shānjǐ de lùqiàn.

The engineers designed a cutting through the mountain ridge.

Related Characters

Component: 土

Component: 斩

堑