Chinese Character: 冈
1. Character Basics
Radical: 冂 (jiōng, enclosure)
Stroke Count: 4
Structure: Simple structure with 冂 on the top and 网 on the bottom (simplified form)
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Gāng
Tone: First tone (ā)
3. Meaning
Core Meaning: Low hill; ridge; hillock
Detailed Meanings:
- A low, flat-topped hill or ridge
- Elevated land formation lower than a mountain
- Often used in geographical names
4. Common Words
- 山冈 (shāngāng) - Hill; ridge
我们爬上了前面的山冈。 (Wǒmen páshàng le qiánmiàn de shāngāng.) - We climbed up the hill ahead.
- 冈峦 (gāngluán) - Range of hills; hills
远处的冈峦连绵起伏。 (Yuǎnchù de gāngluán liánmián qǐfú.) - The hills in the distance stretch continuously.
- 高冈 (gāogāng) - High ridge
他站在高冈上远眺。 (Tā zhàn zài gāogāng shàng yuǎntiào.) - He stood on the high ridge looking into the distance.
- 景阳冈 (Jǐngyánggāng) - Name of a famous hill (in classical Chinese literature)
《水浒传》中的武松在景阳冈打虎。 (《Shuǐhǔ Zhuàn》zhōng de Wǔ Sōng zài Jǐngyánggāng dǎ hǔ.) - In "Water Margin", Wu Song fought a tiger at Jingyang Ridge.
- 冈陵 (gānglíng) - Hills and mounds
这片土地冈陵起伏。 (Zhè piàn tǔdì gānglíng qǐfú.) - This land has rolling hills.
5. Grammar & Usage
Part of Speech: Mainly used as a noun
Usage Patterns:
- Often used as a component in compound words related to geographical features
- Commonly found in place names and literary works
- Can be combined with other characters to form words describing different types of hills or landforms
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, the character "冈" (gāng) has been used since ancient times to describe geographical features and has significance in various contexts.
Key Cultural Aspects:
- Geographical Naming: Many places in China incorporate "冈" in their names, reflecting the country's diverse topography.
- Literary Significance: Classical Chinese poetry and literature often use "冈" to create imagery of the natural landscape.
- Historical References: The famous story of "武松打虎" (Wǔ Sōng dǎ hǔ - Wu Song Fights the Tiger) from the classic novel "水浒传" (Water Margin) takes place at "景阳冈" (Jingyang Ridge), making this character well-known in Chinese culture.
- Symbolism: In some contexts, "冈" can symbolize a vantage point or a place of observation, as hills and ridges provide good views.
7. Example Sentence
Example 1:
中文: 他们在山冈上建了一座小亭子。
Pinyin: Tāmen zài shāngāng shàng jiàn le yī zuò xiǎo tíngzi.
English: They built a small pavilion on the hill.
Example 2:
中文: 夕阳照在远处的冈峦上，景色很美。
Pinyin: Xīyáng zhào zài yuǎnchù de gāngluán shàng, jǐngsè hěn měi.
English: The sunset shines on the distant hills, creating a beautiful scene.
Example 3:
中文: 这条路沿着冈陵蜿蜒而上。
Pinyin: Zhè tiáo lù yánzhe gānglíng wānyán ér shàng.
English: This road winds up along the hills.
8. Memory Tips
1. Component Breakdown: The character 冈 (gāng) has a simple structure. Think of it as representing a hill or ridge with a flat top, which matches its meaning.
2. Visual Association: Imagine the top part 冂 as the outline of a hill, and the bottom part as the base supporting it.
3. Word Family: Learn related words together to reinforce memory:
- 山冈 (shāngāng) - hill
- 冈峦 (gāngluán) - hills
- 高冈 (gāogāng) - high ridge
4. Memory Phrase: "冈是小山，山冈相连" (Gāng shì xiǎo shān, shāngāng xiānglián) - "A 冈 is a small hill, and hills are connected." This phrase helps remember both the character and its meaning.