挂 (guà) - to hang & to suspend

挂Tone 4

guà ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

挂 · guà

to hang;

to suspend;

to put up;

to register or record (as in a list);

to be concerned or worried about;

to get caught or snagged;

(of a phone) to hang up.

to hangto suspendto put up

Usage highlights

to hang upto be concerned aboutto registerto hang a picturedirectorto get snagged

Synonyms

  • 悬— to suspend, to hang
  • 吊— to hang, to suspend

Antonyms

  • 取— to take down, to remove
  • 摘— to take down, to pick

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Hang the picture on the wall (挂在墙上).
  • I'm worried about you (我挂念你).
  • Please hang up the phone (请挂电话).
  • Register for the course (挂课).

Collocations

  • to hang up(挂断)
  • to be concerned about(挂念)
  • to register(挂号)
  • to hang a picture(挂画)
  • director(挂帅)
  • to get snagged(挂住)

Idioms

  • Nothing to hang on the horns — having nothing to be ashamed of(无牵无挂)
  • To hang the sheep's head but sell dog meat — false advertising(挂羊头卖狗肉)
  • Mind preoccupied with personal concerns — worried(牵肠挂肚)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese culture, hanging scrolls (挂轴) with calligraphy or paintings is an important decorative art form.
  • The character appears in medical contexts like 挂号 (to register at a hospital), reflecting systematic record-keeping.
  • The worry sense derives from the metaphorical image of something 'hanging on one's mind'.

FAQ