Definitions

Shǎn (noun) abbr. for Shaanxi province

Etymology

A place  wedged in a valley 

About

The character "陕" originates from its traditional form "陝", structurally composed of the left radical "阝", representing a hill or mound, and the right component "夾", which conveys a sense of narrowing or constriction, together etymologically suggesting a gorge or strategic pass between highlands. This formation underpinned its early geographical application to denote areas with such terrain, specifically the region west of a key historical passage that became identified as Shaanxi. Over time, the character's meaning solidified around this toponym, with the simplified form "陕" altering the right component to "夹" while retaining the essential reference to the landscape, thereby maintaining a consistent semantic focus on the designated locale without substantial divergence from its original topographic significance.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

西有很多历史古迹。

Shǎnxī yǒu hěnduō lìshǐ gǔjì.

Shaanxi has many historical sites.

我去过西西安。

Wǒ qùguò Shǎnxī Xī'ān.

I have been to Xi'an, Shaanxi.

北的民歌很好听。

Shǎnběi de míngē hěn hǎotīng.

The folk songs from northern Shaanxi are very pleasant to listen to.

甘宁边区是革命老区。

Shǎn Gān Níng biānqū shì gémìng lǎoqū.

The Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia border region is an old revolutionary area.

西省的省会是西安。

Shǎnxī Shěng de shěnghuì shì Xī'ān.

The capital of Shaanxi Province is Xi'an.

西方言与普通话有些不同。

Shǎnxī fāngyán yǔ pǔtōnghuà yǒuxiē bùtóng.

The Shaanxi dialect is somewhat different from Mandarin.

南地区的气候比较湿润。

Shǎnnán dìqū de qìhòu bǐjiào shīrùn.

The climate in southern Shaanxi is relatively humid.

甘青地区的地形复杂多样。

Shǎn Gān Qīng dìqū de dìxíng fùzá duōyàng.

The terrain of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Qinghai region is complex and diverse.