About
The character 堑 (qiàn), with its traditional form 塹, is a phono-semantic compound meaning a moat or defensive ditch. Its meaning is rooted in the earth radical 土 (tǔ) at the bottom, which places it in the semantic field of earth and excavation. The upper component is 斩 (zhǎn; traditional 斬), meaning “to chop,” which provides the pronunciation and conceptually reflects the act of cutting into the ground. This character is primarily associated with military fortification, describing the deep artificial chasms dug around castles to impede attackers and defend the enclosed area.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
长江是一道天堑。
古代城墙外都有护城堑。
工程队正在挖掘一条深堑。
楚汉相争时，鸿沟成为军事天堑。
他们克服了技术上的重重堑壕。
这段路堑的边坡需要加固。
人生的沟堑有时需要勇气才能跨越。
工程师们设计了一条穿过山脊的路堑。