倾斜 (qīng xié) — to tilt, to lean, to slant | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Used mainly for objects, surfaces, or attitudes that tilt away from vertical or level (a floor, a photo, a leaning policy). 比偏 more physical and neutral; 比侧 emphasizes turning sideways. Often abstract for non-physical 'leaning' (toward a view).

verb

to tiltto leanto slant

Examples

倾斜，。
Dì miàn qīng xié le, shuǐ dōu liú dào yì biān qù le.
The floor is tilted, and the water all flows to one side.
倾斜。
Tā de tài dù qīng xié fǒu dìng.
His attitude leans toward rejection.
倾斜。
Zhè zhāng zhào piàn pāi qīng xié le.
This photo came out tilted.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

倾 and 斜 both describe leaning or slanting, together meaning to tilt.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 傾; 倾 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

頃

頃qǐng傾qīng

Same sound today

The traditional form 傾 combines 人 (man) with 頃, which gives the sound; 倾 is the simplified form of 傾.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

斗余斜

Meaning part形符xíngfú

斗斗dòuladle/dipper

Sound part声符shēngfú

余

余yú斜xié

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

斜 pairs 斗, a ladle or dipper, with 余 for sound; the idea of scooping or drawing out was extended to mean a slant.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 HSK 2.0 Level 6

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