撐 (chēng) - To prop up & to support

撐Tone 1

chēng ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

晨呈

撐 · chēng

To prop up;

to support;

to push open;

to maintain;

to hold up;

to brace;

to pole (a boat);

to open (an umbrella);

to strain or stretch.

To prop upto supportto push open

Usage highlights

Support financiallyPole a boatOpen an umbrellaProp up with a stickHold up a roofStretch fabric

Synonyms

  • 支撐— to support, to prop up
  • 支持— to support, to back
  • 頂住— to hold up, to withstand

Antonyms

  • 壓垮— to crush, to collapse under pressure
  • 放棄— to give up, to abandon

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He used a stick to prop up the window (撐窗户).
  • She struggled to support the family financially (撐起家庭).
  • They poled the boat along the river (撐船).
  • He opened his umbrella in the rain (撐傘).

Collocations

  • Support financially(撐住)
  • Pole a boat(撐船)
  • Open an umbrella(撐傘)
  • Prop up with a stick(撐竿)
  • Hold up a roof(撐屋頂)
  • Stretch fabric(撐開)

Idioms

  • To support or back someone up(撐腰)
  • Struggling to hold on(硬撐)
  • To pole a boat against the current(逆水撐舟)
  • To prop up the sky(撐天拄地)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted the action of using hands to prop or support something.
  • In Chinese culture, '撐腰' metaphorically means to give someone backing or support.
  • The character embodies concepts of resilience and endurance against pressure.

FAQ