How to Write 压 (yā/yà) — Meaning “to press or weigh down”

Imagine a heavy cliff (厂) pressing down on a pile of dirt (土), with a stone (the dot) adding extra weight. This image helps you recall that 压 means "to press" or "weigh down."

Start with the radical 厂: write the horizontal stroke, then the left-falling stroke. Next write 土 (earth) below: horizontal, vertical, horizontal. Keep the top radical wide enough to cover the lower part, and make sure the dot sits on top of the 土, not touching the cliff.

压 (yā) has 土 (earth) inside, while 仄 (zè) has 人 (person) inside and means "narrow" or "slanting." 厃 (wēi) is rare and looks like a person under a cliff, meaning "danger." Focus on the different lower components to distinguish them.

You often see 压 in words for physical pressure like 压力 (yā lì, stress) and medical terms like 血压 (xuè yā, blood pressure). A special cultural use is 压岁钱 (yā suì qián), money given during Lunar New Year to children, symbolically pressing down evil spirits for a peaceful year.

Common words containing 压 include: 压力 (yā lì) — pressure or stress; 血压 (xuè yā) — Blood pressure; 压岁钱 (yā suì qián) — Lunar New Year lucky money.