险阻 (xiǎn zǔ) — (noun) dangerous obstacles; perils; (verb phrase / adjective) dangerous and difficult (of roads, journeys)

Definition

险阻 refers to dangers and difficulties along the way (roads, journeys, pursuits). As a set phrase, it emphasizes physical and tangible obstacles rather than abstract ones.

noun
dangerous obstaclesperils
verb
(verb phrase / adjective) dangerous and difficult (of roads, journeys)

Examples

  • 险阻，。
    Qián miàn de lù hěn xiǎn zǔ, yào xiǎo xīn kāi chē.
    The road ahead is very dangerous and difficult; drive carefully.
  • 险阻。
    Tā men kè fú le hěn duō xiǎn zǔ cái dào dá shān dǐng.
    They overcame many dangerous obstacles to reach the mountain top.
  • 险阻，。
    Zài xiǎn zǔ miàn qián, tā men méi yǒu fàng qì.
    In the face of perils, they did not give up.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

险xiǎndanger
阻zǔobstacle

'险' means danger and '阻' means obstruction, so perils and difficulties.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 險; 险 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
阝Written in full as阜fù
Sound part声符shēngfú
僉
僉qiān險
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 險 pairs 阝, written in full as 阜, with 僉, which gives the sound; the simplified 险 is a shorthand.

Open 险 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
阝Written in full as阜fù
Sound part声符shēngfú
且
且qiě阻zǔ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

阻 is built from 阝 (written in full as 阜) on the left and 且 on the right, which gives the sound.

Open 阻 →

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