verb

Meanings

  1. 1 to obstruct; to block; to keep apart

Examples

HSK 4
Tāmen liǎ zhījiān yǒu hěn shēn de géhé.
There is a deep barrier between the two of them.
HSK 7-9
Tǎnchéng gōutōng kěyǐ xiāochú rén yǔ rén zhījiān de géhé.
Honest communication can dissolve the estrangement between people.

Tips

usage
Almost always in 隔阂 - an emotional barrier, estrangement or misunderstanding between people. Not a physical wall; it is the invisible distance that keeps hearts apart.

Components

radical
mén
door; gate
Gate radical wrapping the top and sides, . A closed gate is the natural image of blocking and shutting out - fitting for a barrier between people. Same family as to close and gap.
phonetic
hài
(12th earthly branch)
Inside the gate sits , the phonetic (hài → hé). Same sound element appears in child and ought; here it lends only its reading.

Stroke Order