山 shān

HSK 3 Writing L3

A pictograph of three mountain peaks.

Mountain, hill, or any peak-like mass. A tall central stroke flanked by two shorter strokes, forming a mountain silhouette.

Common Usage & Traps

  • 单用山字 使用常见词组组词(如双音节词)

    In spoken Chinese, single characters like 山 usually pair into compound words rather than standing alone.

What is the core visual insight behind 山 (shān)?

Three rugged peaks side by side, with the center crest tallest.

Understanding the internal components of 山 unlocks rapid recall across related compound words.

Appears in Stories 4 stories

《成语0001:东山再起》 The Comeback: From Eastern Mountain to Success
HSK 7 ~5 min read 589 chars
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Learn the fascinating story behind the Chinese idiom '东山再起' (Dongshan Zaiji), which means to make a comeback. Discover its historical roots and modern usage.

  • “ 东山再起 ”这个成语的本意是一个人失败以后或从高的地位落到低的地位以后,重新回到成功的位置。

  • 这个成语人人都会用,但是“ 东山 ”是什么意思,好多人不知道。

  • 但谢安不想做官,多次拒绝了朝廷的邀请,就住在会稽的 东山 (今天的浙江省 会稽山 ),和朋友一起游玩。

  • 朋友跟他开玩笑说:“你以前一直待在 东山 ,现在终于愿意出来重新开始了。”

  • 这就是“ 东山再起 ”的由来。

  • 现在,我们用“ 东山再起 ”来形容一个人失败或退出后,通过努力又重新获得成功。

  • 比如,一个公司破产了,老板又重新创业赚钱,我们就可以说“他 东山再起 了”。

  • 当年乔布斯被踢出苹果公司,十年后,他又重回苹果,这件事也可以说“乔布斯 东山再起 了。”

  • 东山再起 是褒义词,而“死灰复燃”就是它的反义词,是一个贬义词。

《哪里哪里!》 Where is 'Where'?
HSK 1 ~6 min read 432 chars
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Chat about where friends study Chinese while exploring 哪儿 and 哪里 across Beijing and Shanghai. Practice asking “where”, talking about “here” and “there”, and using the modest reply 哪里哪里 to accept a compliment.

  • 大山 :怎么说“where”?

  • 大山 ,你在哪里学汉语?

  • 大山 :我在北京学汉语。

  • 大山 :啊……

  • 大山 :小米,你的汉语真好。

  • 大山 说我的汉语很好。

《是不是好朋友?》 Are We Good Friends? A Dinner Debate
HSK 1 ~4 min read 254 chars
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In this HSK 1 story, two old friends from Britain and China share a meal with their girlfriends. A simple question about who pays leads to a clever and funny solution.

  • 我叫 米小山 。

  • 中国一半、英国一半,饭钱我和 米小山 一人一半。”

《我们一家》 A Family Dinner at the Restaurant
HSK 2 ~6 min read 401 chars
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In this warm dialogue, a parent introduces their family at a restaurant. A teacher gently corrects common mistakes about family words and names, making it perfect for HSK 2 learners.

  • 这里的 山东菜 很好吃。

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