卧 (wò) — to lie down; to crouch
Definition
卧 (wò) means to lie down, often with a deliberate, resting pose (lying on the ground, on a couch). Distinct from 躺, which is the everyday neutral verb for reclining; 卧 sounds more formal or literary.
verb
to lie downto crouch
Examples
- 卧。Tā wò zài dì shàng xiū xi le yí huì r.He lay down on the ground and rested for a while.
- 。Shì bīng men tīng dào mìng lìng hòu lì kè wò dǎo.The soldiers immediately dropped to the ground after hearing the order.
- 卧。Nà zhī māo wò zài chuāng tái shàng shài tài yáng.That cat is crouching on the windowsill sunbathing.
Origin
Compound ideograph六书liùshū
会意huìyìTwo or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 臥; 卧 is its simplified writing.
The traditional form 臥 pairs 臣 (an eye pointing down) with 人 (a person).
Appears in
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.