经得住 (jīng de zhù) — can withstand, can endure (used with abstract challenges)

Definition

A resultative verb meaning 'can withstand / endure' — stresses successfully holding up under a challenge or test. Note that 经得住 (jīng) is pronounced differently from the noun 经 (jīng, 'classic/scripture') and from 已经 (jǐng).

verb
can withstandcan endure (used with abstract challenges)

Examples

  • ，经得住。
    Zhè zuò dà qiáo jiàn zhù dé hěn hǎo, néng jīng de zhù shí jiān de kǎo yàn.
    This bridge is well built and can withstand the test of time.
  • 经得住。
    Zhǐ yǒu zhēn zhèng de yǒu yì cái néng jīng de zhù kùn nan de kǎo yàn.
    Only true friendship can withstand the test of difficulties.
  • 经得住。
    Zhè zhǒng cái liào jīng de zhù gāo wēn de kǎo yàn.
    This material can withstand high-temperature tests.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most 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 經; 经 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糹Written in full as糸mìsilk; thread
Sound part声符shēngfú
巠
巠jīng經jīng
Same sound today

The traditional form 經 combines 糹 (silk; thread) with 巠, which gives the sound.

Open 经 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The old form 㝵 showed a hand picking up a cowry, meaning to obtain; later changes turned that picture into 得.

Open 得 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
亻Written in full as人rén
Sound part声符shēngfú
主
主zhǔ住zhù
Same sound today

住 pairs 亻, the person radical (written fully as 人), with 主, which supplies the sound.

Open 住 →

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