懸 (xuán) - To hang, suspend & pending, unresolved

懸Tone 2

xuán ｜ 20 strokes ｜ radical:

信嫣

懸 · xuán

To hang, suspend;

pending, unresolved;

to worry about;

dangerous, precarious.

To hang, suspendpending, unresolvedto worry about

Usage highlights

To hang upPending caseSuspended animationDangerous cliffUnresolved doubtWorry anxiously

Synonyms

  • 挂— to hang, suspend
  • 吊— to hang, suspend
  • 垂— to hang down, droop

Antonyms

  • 落— to fall, drop down
  • 放— to put down, release
  • 解— to resolve, settle

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The painting is hanging on the wall (画悬在墙上).
  • This case is still pending (这个案件仍然悬着).
  • He worries about his son's safety (他悬着儿子的安全).
  • The climber was in a dangerous position (登山者处于悬危的位置).

Collocations

  • To hang up(悬挂)
  • Pending case(悬案)
  • Suspended animation(悬停)
  • Dangerous cliff(悬崖)
  • Unresolved doubt(悬疑)
  • Worry anxiously(悬心)

Idioms

  • A cliff and a thousand ren — extremely dangerous situation(悬崖峭壁)
  • To hang a beam and stab one's thigh — to study assiduously(悬梁刺股)
  • To hang a sheep's head but sell dog meat — false advertising(悬羊头卖狗肉)
  • To hang a sword over one's head — imminent danger(悬剑在头)
  • To resolve doubts and eliminate confusion(悬疑解惑)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese architecture, 'suspended' structures like hanging temples demonstrate engineering ingenuity.
  • The character appears in many idioms about danger and uncertainty, reflecting cultural attitudes toward risk.
  • The 'suspended beam and thigh-stabbing' idiom reflects the high cultural value placed on diligent study.

FAQ