峻

jùn

夋 + 山

Frequency#2506

Definitions

jùn (adjective) steep; high; towering

jùn (adjective) severe; strict; rigorous

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 山 represents the meaning and 夋 represents the sound.

Semantic: 山 Phonetic: 夋

About

The character "峻" incorporates the mountain radical "山" alongside the component "夋", which primarily functions as a phonetic indicator while also reinforcing notions of height or ascent. Its earliest recorded meanings consistently refer to high, steep mountains, a usage evident in pre-Qin and Han dynasty texts. From this concrete foundation, the term gradually acquired abstract connotations, extending to describe rigorous standards, harsh laws, or severe personal demeanors by the medieval period. This expansion in meaning did not alter the character's fundamental structure, which has maintained the same arrangement of its components throughout its documented history.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这里的山势很峻峭。

Zhèlǐ de shānshì hěn jùnqiào.

The mountain terrain here is very steep.

他面临着严峻的挑战。

Tā miànlínzhe yánjùn de tiǎozhàn.

He is facing severe challenges.

峻岭之间有一条小路。

Jùnlǐng zhī jiān yǒu yī tiáo xiǎolù.

There is a small path between the steep mountains.

天气严寒，地势险峻。

Tiānqì yánhán, dìshì xiǎnjùn.

The weather is bitterly cold, and the terrain is steep and dangerous.

河流在峻峭的峡谷中奔腾。

Héliú zài jùnqiào de xiágǔ zhōng bēnténg.

The river rushes through the steep canyon.

尽管形势严峻，我们仍要坚持下去。

Jǐnguǎn xíngshì yánjùn, wǒmen réng yào jiānchí xiàqù.

Although the situation is severe, we must still persevere.

北方的山峦比南方的更加峻拔。

Běifāng de shānluán bǐ nánfāng de gèng jiā jùnbá.

The mountains in the north are steeper and more towering than those in the south.

在如此严峻的经济环境下，企业必须采取峻厉的措施。

Zài rúcǐ yánjùn de jīngjì huánjìng xià, qǐyè bìxū cǎiqǔ jùnlì de cuòshī.

In such a severe economic environment, enterprises must adopt stern measures.

Related Characters

Component: 夋

Component: 山

峻