撑 (chēng) — to support, prop up, or open (an umbrella, etc.); to push or move with a pole (a boat); to fill to the point of bursting (especially from eating)
Definition
撑 (chēng) is a physical, active verb: propping something up with effort (e.g., an umbrella, a boat with a pole) or filling until bursting. 比 支 more forceful and hands-on, with the extra senses of 'pole a boat' and 'stuffed to bursting.'
verb
to supportprop upor open (an umbrella, etc.)to push or move with a pole (a boat)to fill to the point of bursting (especially from eating)
Examples
- ，。Tā yòng shǒu chēng zhù zhuō zi, màn màn zhàn le qǐ lái.He supported himself on the table with his hands and slowly stood up.
- 撑。Tā chēng chuán guò hé.He poled the boat across the river.
- ，撑。Tā chī le sān wǎn fàn, yǐ jīng chēng dé bù xíng le.He ate three bowls of rice and is already too full.
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 撐; 撑 is its simplified writing.
Sound part声符shēngfú
牚
牚chēng撐chēng
Same sound today
The traditional form 撐 pairs 手 (hand) with 牚, which gives the sound; the simplified 撑 is a shorthand.
Appears in
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