垫 (diàn) — (verb) to pad, to put something under; (verb) to pay for someone (to advance money); (noun) cushion, pad, mat
Definition
垫 (diàn) covers two distinct uses: physically putting something underneath as padding (a cushion, mat, or layer), and fronting money for someone. 填补 fills a gap or vacancy, not a physical layer; 垫底 specifically means ranking at the bottom.
verb
to padto put something underto pay for someone (to advance money)
noun
cushionpadmat
Measure word · 块
Examples
- 垫。Wǒ zài xiāng zi xià miàn diàn le yì zhāng bào zhǐ.I padded a newspaper under the box.
- 垫，。Nǐ xiān diàn yí xià qián, wǒ míng tiān hái nǐ.You advance the money first, I'll pay you back tomorrow.
- ，。Zhè ge diàn zi hěn ruǎn, zuò zhe hěn shū fu.This cushion is very soft and comfortable to sit on.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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 墊; 垫 is its simplified writing.
Sound part声符shēngfú
執
執zhí墊diàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
The traditional form 墊 pairs 土, showing earth, with 執, providing the sound; this is about 墊, not the simplified 垫.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.