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noun HSK 4
gāo shān
high mountain · alpine · lofty peak

Meaning

高山 literally means 'high mountain' and refers to tall mountains or mountain ranges, typically those with significant elevation. It can describe both specific tall mountains and the general concept of alpine or mountainous terrain. The term emphasizes height and grandeur.

Usage

Commonly used in geographical descriptions, literature, and everyday speech when discussing mountains. Often appears in compound words related to mountain environments (高山气候 'alpine climate', 高山植物 'alpine plants'). Can be used both literally and metaphorically to represent something majestic or challenging to overcome.

Examples

  1. 01
    喜马拉雅山是世界上最高的高山山脉。
    Xǐmǎlāyǎ Shān shì shìjiè shàng zuì gāo de gāo shān shān mài.
    The Himalayas are the highest mountain range in the world.
  2. 02
    他们计划下个月去西藏攀登高山。
    Tāmen jìhuà xià gè yuè qù Xīzàng pān dēng gāo shān.
    They plan to go to Tibet next month to climb high mountains.

Characters

Measure words

  • 座zuò一座高山

Common collocations

  • 高山流水
    gāo shān liú shuǐ
    high mountains and flowing water (idiom: intimate friendship)
  • 高山气候
    gāo shān qì hòu
    alpine climate
  • 高山植物
    gāo shān zhí wù
    alpine plants
  • 攀登高山
    pān dēng gāo shān
    to climb high mountains

Antonyms

Origin

A straightforward compound combining 高 (high) and 山 (mountain), used since ancient Chinese to distinguish tall mountains from hills or low-lying areas.

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