Definition
挂 (guà) is the common, everyday verb for 'to hang' — used for hanging objects, hang up a phone, etc. 悬 (xuán) is more formal and tends to mean 'suspend from above' or 'be unresolved'. 挂 also has a separate slang meaning 'to fail (an exam or task)', which is unique and not shared by 悬.
verb
to hangto hang up (a phone)to fail (an exam, a task, etc.)to be finished (slang)
Easily confused
- 哇wālook-alikeexclamation of surprise or delight (wow)
- 刮guāsound-aliketo scrape, to shave
- 鞋xiélook-alikeshoe
Examples
- 挂。Tā guà le diànhuà.He hung up the phone.
- 挂。Qǐng bǎ huà guà zài qiáng shàng.Please hang the painting on the wall.
- 挂。Tā kǎoshì yòu guà le.He failed the exam again.
Browse more HSK 4 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.