mountain stronghold; bandit den
Refers to a fortified place in the mountains, often associated with bandits or rebels. Sense 2 is a specific use for a bandit hideout.
The mountain stronghold was built on a steep cliff.
noun-modifying (irregular), noun
knock-off; counterfeit; shanzhai
Only when written 山寨
Internet slang, originally from Chinese 山寨 (shānzhài). Refers to cheap imitation goods, especially electronics. Often used attributively.
In period dramas, bandits holed up in a mountain den often appear.
I hear many of the smartphones sold on that site are knock-offs.
Tablets made by shanzhai manufacturers are cheap but have inconsistent quality.
Same reading and kanji, but specifically used for the internet slang meaning 'knock-off' or 'shanzhai'.
Common word for fort or stronghold; 山砦 is a compound using this character.
Standard kanji form for mountain stronghold or bandit den.
Variant kanji form; 砦 means fort or stronghold.
Used for the internet slang sense 'knock-off' or 'shanzhai'; also a variant for the stronghold sense.
The kanji 山 (mountain) + 塞 (fortress) or 砦 (fort) literally mean 'mountain fort'. The slang sense comes from Chinese 山寨 (shānzhài), originally meaning 'mountain village' or 'bandit stronghold', which later took on the meaning of 'counterfeit' or 'knock-off' in modern Chinese internet culture.