How to Write 岘 (xiàn) — Meaning “Steep hill”

Imagine standing at the foot of a steep hill (山) and you can clearly see (见) its sharp slope. This mental picture links the two parts: mountain and see.

Write the left radical 山 narrow and short, using three strokes. Then add the right part 见 with four strokes, making sure the bottom of 见 lines up with the bottom of 山 to keep the character balanced.

岘 (xiàn) means a steep hill, while 屹 (yì) means towering or standing tall like a mountain, and 屺 (qǐ) refers to a barren hill without plants. Visually, 岘 has 见 on the right, 屹 has 乞, and 屺 has 己.

岘 is rarely used alone and is mostly found in place names like 岘山 (Mount Xian) in Hubei province and historical spots like 岘首 (Xianshou peak). It appears in classical poetry and cultural references, so learners may encounter it in literature or travel contexts.

Common words containing 岘 include: 岘山 (xiàn shān) — Mount Xian; 岘首 (xiàn shǒu) — Xianshou (peak of Mount Xian); 岘亭 (xiàn tíng) — Xian Pavilion.