挡 (dǎng) - to block & to obstruct

挡Tone 3

dǎng ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

挡 · dǎng

to block;

to obstruct;

to shield;

to resist;

to ward off;

also refers to gears in machinery

to blockto obstructto shield

Usage highlights

block the windblock the wayresistobstructgear leversun protection

Synonyms

  • 阻— to hinder, to obstruct
  • 拦— to block, to bar
  • 防— to prevent, to guard against

Antonyms

  • 放— to release, to let go
  • 通— to pass through, to open

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The wall blocks the wind (挡风).
  • He blocked the attack (挡开攻击).
  • Put the car in gear (挂挡).
  • This umbrella provides good sun protection (这把伞很挡太阳).

Collocations

  • block the wind(挡风)
  • block the way(挡路)
  • resist(抵挡)
  • obstruct(阻挡)
  • gear lever(挡杆)
  • sun protection(挡太阳)

Idioms

  • Block arrows and stones(挡箭牌)
  • Act as a shield(遮风挡雨)
  • Impossible to resist(势不可挡)
  • Block ten thousand with one man(一夫当关，万夫莫开)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally meant 'to resist, to ward off', derived from the hand radical and phonetic component.
  • In modern usage, extended to mechanical contexts meaning 'gear' in vehicles.
  • Commonly used in martial arts terminology for defensive movements.

FAQ