Definitions

zhǎi (adjective) narrow
zhǎi (adjective) narrow-minded
zhǎi (adjective) badly off; in difficult circumstances

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "窄" originally and consistently conveys the idea of narrowness or constriction, with its structure offering a clear etymological clue through the combination of the "穴" radical, denoting a cave or hole, and the phonetic component "乍", which may also contribute a sense of suddenness or tight fit. Its core meaning has always described a lack of width in physical spaces, such as a narrow path or a cramped room. Over centuries, this concrete definition naturally expanded into more abstract applications, allowing the character to describe limitations in scope, such as a narrow viewpoint, or in supply, as in a tight margin or shortage. This logical extension from the tangible to the conceptual represents the primary evolution in the usage of the character, which retains its original form and fundamental sense of restriction.

Example Sentences Hide

这条路很

Zhè tiáo lù hěn zhǎi.

This road is very narrow.

那个门太了。

Nà ge mén tài zhǎi le.

That door is too narrow.

房间有点狭

Fángjiān yǒudiǎn xiázhǎi.

The room is a bit narrow.

小巷得只能走一个人。

Xiǎo xiàng zhǎi de zhǐ néng zǒu yī gè rén.

The alley is so narrow that only one person can walk through.

他的心胸很狭

Tā de xīnxiōng hěn xiázhǎi.

He is very narrow-minded.

这条街比那条街

Zhè tiáo jiē bǐ nà tiáo jiē zhǎi.

This street is narrower than that street.

因为走廊,所以搬运家具很困难。

Yīnwèi zǒuláng zhǎi, suǒyǐ bānyùn jiājù hěn kùnnan.

Because the corridor is narrow, moving furniture is very difficult.

在狭的市场里竞争,企业需要创新。

Zài xiázhǎi de shìchǎng lǐ jìngzhēng, qǐyè xūyào chuàngxīn.

Competing in a narrow market, enterprises need to innovate.