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JLPT N19画 · 9 strokesradical 山freq #1833

gorge, ravine

On'yomi (音読み)

  • キョウ
  • コウ

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • はざま

Mnemonic

A steep mountain (山) splits open to form a narrow gorge (峡), where echoes bounce sharply between its walls.

About this kanji

The kanji "峡" primarily means "gorge" or "ravine," referring to a deep narrow valley, often with steep sides. It is typically used in nouns rather than verbs. You will see it in compounds like "海峡" (かいきょう), which means "channel," often referring to a waterway between land masses, and "峡谷" (きょうこく), meaning "gorge," a dramatic natural formation. Another example is "峡湾" (きょうわん), which translates to "fjord," a narrow inlet of the sea between cliffs. A helpful usage note: while you may encounter this kanji in various contexts, it usually evokes the beauty and drama of nature.

Example sentences

  • 深い峡谷が山の間にある。

    There is a deep canyon between the mountains.

Meanings across languages

English
gorge, ravine
Tiếng Việt
hẻm
日本語
한국어
협곡
中文
id
jurang, lembah
th
หุบเขา, หุบเหว
es
garganta, desfiladero
fr
gorge, ravin
de
Schlucht, Tal
pt
desfiladeiro, ravina

Common compounds

  • 海峡かいきょうchannel (e.g. between two land masses), strait
  • 峡谷きょうこくgorge, ravine, canyon
  • 峡部きょうぶisthmus
  • 峡湾きょうわんfjord
  • 山峡さんきょうgorge, ravine, gap
  • 地峡ちきょうisthmus
  • 峡間きょうかんbetween the mountains
  • 峡谷風きょうこくふうravine wind, canyon wind, gorge wind

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