脊梁 (jǐ liáng) — spine, backbone; (figurative) backbone, mainstay, pillar
Definition
Literally the spine, but mostly used figuratively for the moral or national 'backbone' (e.g. 国家的脊梁). Compared to 骨干, it emphasizes a group's core spirit rather than its key personnel.
noun
spinebackbone(figurative) backbonemainstaypillar
Measure word · 根
Examples
- ,脊梁。Tā shuāi dǎo le, shāng dào le jǐ liáng.He fell and injured his spine.
- 脊梁。Zhè xiē kē xué jiā shì guó jiā de jǐ liáng.These scientists are the backbone of the country.
- 脊梁,。Tā tǐng qǐ jǐ liáng, miàn duì kùn nan.He straightened his backbone and faced difficulties.
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