狭隘 (xiá ài) — (of space) narrow, cramped; (of mind, vision) n…

Definition

Used almost entirely for abstract narrowness — a narrow mind, limited outlook, or small-minded view. For physical narrow spaces use 狭窄 or 狭小.

adjective

(of space) narrowcramped(of mind, vision) narrow-mindedprovinciallimited in experience

狭隘，。
Zhè tiáo xiǎo xiàng fēi cháng xiá ài, zhǐ néng yí gè rén tōng guò.
This alley is very narrow; only one person can pass through.
狭隘，。
Tā xīn xiōng xiá ài, tīng bú jìn bù tóng de yì jiàn.
He is narrow-minded and cannot stand hearing different opinions.
狭隘，。
Yīn wèi jiàn shi xiá ài, tā zǒng jué de zì jǐ shì duì de.
Because his knowledge is limited, he always thinks he's right.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

隘àinarrow/cramped

狭 and 隘 both point to narrowness, so 狭隘 describes cramped space or a limited outlook.

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 狹; 狭 is its simplified writing.

犭夾狹

Meaning part形符xíngfú

犭Written in full as犬quǎndog

Sound part声符shēngfú

夾

夾jiā狹xiá

Same sound today

The traditional form 狹 pairs 犭 (dog) with 夾 as a sound part; the simplified 狭 is a later shorthand.

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

阝益隘

Meaning part形符xíngfú

阝Written in full as阜fù

Sound part声符shēngfú

益

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 隘, the left 阝, written in full as 阜, gives the meaning, and the right 益 gives the sound.

Appears in