A canyon is a deep gorge with steep sides, typically carved by a river.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A deep, narrow valley with steep sides.
- Often formed by river erosion over time.
- A striking natural landscape feature.
Overview
峡谷（xiá gǔ）是一个名词，指的是一种地貌特征，其特点是两侧的坡度非常陡峭，而且深度通常大于宽度。这种地形通常是由河流或冰川经过长时间的侵蚀作用形成的。峡谷的规模可以从几米深到几千米深不等，长度也可以变化很大。
在日常汉语中，‘峡谷’一词常用来描述自然景观。它可以单独使用，也可以与其他词语组合，如‘大峡谷’、‘深邃的峡谷’、‘峡谷漂流’等。它主要用于描述地理环境和与此相关的活动。
‘峡谷’经常出现在旅游介绍、地理读物、纪录片以及户外探险的讨论中。例如，人们会说‘科罗拉多大峡谷非常有名’，或者‘我们计划去探索那个神秘的峡谷’。在描述天气时，有时也会提到峡谷地区，比如‘峡谷里的风很大’。
与‘峡谷’相似的词语包括‘沟’（gōu）和‘溪谷’（xī gǔ）。‘沟’通常指较小的、较浅的凹槽或渠道，不如‘峡谷’宏伟。‘溪谷’则特指由溪流形成的谷地，可以看作是小型峡谷的一种，但‘峡谷’的范围更广，可以由河流、冰川等多种因素形成，且规模通常更大、更壮观。
Examples
我们去游览了著名的张家界大峡谷。
everydayWe visited the famous Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon.
科罗拉多河经过数百万年的侵蚀，形成了宏伟的科罗拉多大峡谷。
academicThe Colorado River, through millions of years of erosion, formed the magnificent Grand Canyon.
徒步穿越这个峡谷需要很好的体力和装备。
informalHiking through this canyon requires good physical strength and equipment.
该地区的峡谷地貌是研究地质演变的重要样本。
formalThe canyon topography in this region serves as an important sample for studying geological evolution.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
大峡谷
Grand Canyon / large canyon
一线天
a narrow gorge (lit. 'one line sky')
鬼斧神工
supernatural workmanship (often used to describe natural wonders like canyons)
Often Confused With
While 'valley' (山谷) is a broader term for a low area between hills or mountains, 'canyon' (峡谷) specifically refers to a deep, narrow valley with very steep sides, usually carved by a river.
'Gou' (沟) typically refers to a smaller ditch, channel, or gully, much smaller and less dramatic than a canyon (峡谷).
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '峡谷' (xiá gǔ) is primarily used to describe natural landscapes. It's commonly found in travel writing, geography texts, and discussions about outdoor activities. While it can be used descriptively in everyday conversation, its more dramatic connotations lend themselves well to formal and academic contexts when discussing geology or significant natural landmarks.
Common Mistakes
Learners might sometimes confuse '峡谷' with general terms like '山谷' (valley) or '沟' (gully). It's important to remember that '峡谷' implies a specific type of deep, steep-sided valley, often on a grand scale.
Tips
Visualize Steep, Narrow Valleys
Think of a deep cut in the earth with sheer cliffs on either side, often with a river at the bottom.
Beware of Scale
While 'gully' or 'ravine' might describe a small cut, 'canyon' implies a much larger, more dramatic geological feature.
Symbol of Majesty
Canyons are often seen as symbols of nature's power and grandeur, inspiring awe and adventure.
Word Origin
The character '峡' (xiá) originally depicted two mountains with a narrow passage between them. The character '谷' (gǔ) represents a valley. Together, '峡谷' literally means a narrow, steep valley.
Cultural Context
Canyons hold significant cultural importance in many regions, often featuring in local legends, art, and as major tourist attractions symbolizing natural beauty and adventure.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'narrow pass' (峡) leading down into a 'valley' (谷) – that's a canyon!
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions峡谷（canyon/gorge）通常指两侧非常陡峭、深度大于宽度的狭长谷地，常由河流侵蚀形成。山谷（valley）则是一个更宽泛的概念，指两山之间的低地，两侧坡度可能较缓，不一定由河流侵蚀形成，其宽度通常大于深度。
世界上有许多著名的峡谷，例如美国的科罗拉多大峡谷（Grand Canyon）、秘鲁的科尔卡峡谷（Colca Canyon）以及中国的长江三峡（Yangtze Gorges）。这些峡谷都以其壮丽的景色和地质构造闻名。
峡谷主要是由河流或冰川长期对地表进行侵蚀作用形成的。水流或冰川不断地向下和向两侧切割，随着时间的推移，逐渐形成了深邃、陡峭的峡谷地貌。
“峡”字常指两山夹水或夹道的狭窄之处，有“狭窄”的意思。“谷”则指山间低地或两山之间的空旷地带。合在一起，“峡谷”就形象地描绘了狭窄、深邃、两侧陡峭的山谷。
Test Yourself
我们沿着河流走，发现了一个非常深的______。
句意是指一个深的、像谷一样的地貌，‘峡谷’最符合描述。
以下哪个选项最能准确地描述“峡谷”？
这是对峡谷最核心的地理特征的描述：陡峭、狭长、深度大于宽度。
请用“壮丽”、“峡谷”和“景色”来造句。
这个选项结构完整，表达了峡谷拥有壮丽景色的意思，符合语法和逻辑。
Score: /3
Summary
A canyon is a deep gorge with steep sides, typically carved by a river.
- A deep, narrow valley with steep sides.
- Often formed by river erosion over time.
- A striking natural landscape feature.
Visualize Steep, Narrow Valleys
Think of a deep cut in the earth with sheer cliffs on either side, often with a river at the bottom.
Beware of Scale
While 'gully' or 'ravine' might describe a small cut, 'canyon' implies a much larger, more dramatic geological feature.
Symbol of Majesty
Canyons are often seen as symbols of nature's power and grandeur, inspiring awe and adventure.
Examples
4 of 4我们去游览了著名的张家界大峡谷。
We visited the famous Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon.
科罗拉多河经过数百万年的侵蚀，形成了宏伟的科罗拉多大峡谷。
The Colorado River, through millions of years of erosion, formed the magnificent Grand Canyon.
徒步穿越这个峡谷需要很好的体力和装备。
Hiking through this canyon requires good physical strength and equipment.
该地区的峡谷地貌是研究地质演变的重要样本。
The canyon topography in this region serves as an important sample for studying geological evolution.
