also: きゅうざか
steep slope; steep hill
Refers to a road, path, or incline that is sharply angled; used in both literal and figurative contexts.
It's tough to climb this steep slope by bicycle.
The steep hill in front of my house gets slippery in winter.
Standard kanji spelling; the reading きゅうはん is the most common.
Alternate reading using kun'yomi for 坂; less common but still encountered.
Compound of 急 (きゅう, 'steep, sudden') and 坂 (はん or ざか, 'slope, hill'). The reading きゅうざか uses the kun'yomi for 坂, while きゅうはん uses the on'yomi.