腰板 (yāo bǎn) — waist and back (of the body); (figurative) phys… | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Refers to the waist and back as a unit, often used figuratively for one's overall build or posture/sturdiness. A common collocation is 腰板硬朗 ('strong/sturdy back'), describing an older person's physical condition.

noun

waist and back (of the body)(figurative) physiquebuildfigure

Examples

，腰板。
Tā zhàn dé hěn zhí, yāo bǎn tǐng dé bǐ zhí.
He stands very straight, with his back held ramrod straight.
腰板。
Jiān chí duàn liàn néng ràng nǐ yōng yǒu jiē shi de yāo bǎn.
Keeping up with exercise can give you a strong physique.
，腰板。
Suī rán nián jì dà le, dàn tā de yāo bǎn yī rán hěn yìng lǎng.
Although he's old, his back is still sturdy and strong.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

腰 names the waist, and 板 suggests a stiff board; together they refer to the back or build.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

⺼Written in full as肉ròuflesh

Sound part声符shēngfú

要

要yào腰yāo

Same sound today

The left part ⺼ is flesh; the right part 要 gives the sound.

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

木反板

Meaning part形符xíngfú

木木mùtree

Sound part声符shēngfú

反

反fǎn板bǎn

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

板 pairs 木 (tree) with 反 as a sound part.

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