Definition
耸 (sǒng) is a versatile verb with three main uses: to tower high (of mountains/buildings), to shrug (shoulders), and to alarm/sensationalize (in 耸人听闻). For the 'tower' sense, it is often used in the compound 耸立 (sǒng lì), which is similar to 矗立 (chù lì) for buildings/monuments and 屹立 (yì lì) for a firm, upright stance; 耸立 emphasizes a soaring upward. The 'alarm' sense overlaps with 惊动 (jīng dòng) but is limited to the fixed phrase 耸人听闻.
verb
to towerto rise high (of mountains, buildings, etc.)to shrug (shoulders)to be sensationalto alarm (in 耸人听闻)
Easily confused
- 丛cónglook-alike(classifier) for clusters of plants, bushes, grass, or hair
- 送sòngsound-aliketo give (as a present)
- 两liǎnglook-aliketwo (used before measure words or nouns that indicate quantity)
- 松sōngsound-alikeloose
Examples
- 。Yuǎnchù sǒng lì zhe yí zuò gāo shān.A high mountain towers in the distance.
- 耸，。Tā sǒng le sǒng jiān, biǎoshì bù zhīdào.He shrugged his shoulders to show he didn't know.
- 。Zhè tiáo xīnwén shízài sǒng rén tīng wén.This piece of news is truly sensational.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.