峭

陗
qiào
山 + 肖

Definitions

qiào (adjective) high and steep; precipitous
qiào (adjective) stern; severe

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 山 represents the meaning and 肖 represents the sound. Simplified form of 陗.

Semantic: 山 Phonetic: 肖

About

峭 is a phono-semantic compound and the simplified form of 陗. Its left side, the semantic radical 山 (mountain), explicitly connects the character to mountainous landscapes, rocky cliffs, and topographical formations found in nature. The right side, 肖, a component ordinarily meaning 'resemblance' or 'smallness', functions here strictly as the phonetic indicator. The character's core definition describes a mountain or cliff face that is exceptionally steep, precipitous, and vertical, making it nearly impossible to climb or navigate safely. From this literal geographical use, the meaning expanded to describe air temperature as biting or severe, and it is also applied to human personalities or writings that are perceived as unapproachable, stern, or rigidly strict.

Example Sentences Hide

这座山非常陡峭。

Zhè zuò shān fēicháng dǒuqiào.

This mountain is very steep.

峭壁上长满了绿植。

Qiàobì shàng zhǎng mǎn le lǜ zhí.

The cliff is covered with green plants.

他站在峭壁边缘。

Tā zhàn zài qiàobì biānyuán.

He stands at the edge of the cliff.

峻峭的山峰令人惊叹。

Jùnqiào de shānfēng lìng rén jīngtàn.

The steep peaks are amazing.

道路在峭壁间蜿蜒。

Dàolù zài qiàobì jiān wānyán.

The road winds between cliffs.

这座峭立的山峰很难攀登。

Zhè zuò qiàolì de shānfēng hěn nán pāndēng.

This steeply standing peak is hard to climb.

陡峭的悬崖下是深邃的峡谷。

Dǒuqiào de xuányá xià shì shēnsuì de xiágǔ.

Under the steep cliff is a deep canyon.

面对那面几乎垂直的峭壁，登山者们小心翼翼地前进。

Miàn duì nà miàn jīhū chuízhí de qiàobì, dēngshān zhě men xiǎoxīn yìyì de qiánjìn.

Facing that almost vertical cliff, the climbers advanced cautiously.

Related Characters

Component: 山

山 密 岁 岛 岸 仙 岩 峰 崇 幽 岂 峡 岗 岳

Component: 肖

消 销 稍 悄 削 哨 屑 梢 俏 鞘 硝 霄 宵 逍

Example Words

峭壁 料峭 陡峭 峻峭