压

壓

yā

verb HSK 3 #1,633

Meanings

The traditional form 壓 shows 厂 (cliff) pressing down on 土 (earth) — something heavy bearing down.

Bùyào yā zài wǒ de shū shang.

Don't press on my book.

Xuě yā wān le shùzhī.

The snow bent the tree branches.

Tā yòng shítou yāzhù zhǐ.

He held down the paper with a stone.

usage

压 is versatile: 压力 (pressure/stress), 血压 (blood pressure), 压岁钱 (New Year's money placed under a child's pillow), 压价 (to bargain down a price).

压 yā