How to Write 峨 (é) — Meaning “lofty; high”

Imagine yourself saying 'I (我) am standing on a mountain (山), feeling very tall and majestic.' This visual links the two parts to the meaning of lofty and high. The phrase 'I on the mountain' helps recall both the form and the idea of elevation.

The left radical 山 is written first with three strokes: vertical, then a vertical-horizontal fold, then a final vertical. The right part 我 has seven strokes; a common mistake is to forget the last downward-left stroke (捺) or to make the mountain radical too large. Keep the mountain small and balanced beside the taller right side.

峨 is the only one used in common words like 峨眉山 and 巍峨, meaning lofty or majestic. 岢 (kě) appears only in the place name 岢岚, and 岣 (gǒu) is used in the ancient mountain name 岣嵝. Visually, 峨 has the right side 我, while 岢 has 可 and 岣 has 句, so the right components are different.

峨 is not a daily-use character but appears in formal or literary descriptions of mountains, tall buildings, or grand scenery. The most common use is in the proper noun 峨眉山 (Mount Emei), a famous Buddhist mountain. You might also see it in the word 巍峨 to describe something towering and magnificent.

Common words containing 峨 include: 峨眉山 (é méi shān) — Mount Emei; 巍峨 (wēi é) — towering; majestic; 峨峨 (é é) — lofty; towering.