晾 (liàng) - to air & to dry in the air

晾Tone 4

liàng ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

梁嘹

晾 · liàng

to air;

to dry in the air;

to sun;

to hang out (laundry);

to neglect;

to ignore;

to leave someone in the cold

to airto dry in the airto sun

Usage highlights

air clothesdry in the sunair quiltsairleave someone outair vegetables

Synonyms

  • 晒— to sun; to dry in the sun
  • 风干— to air-dry

Antonyms

  • 收— to take in; to collect
  • 藏— to hide; to store away

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She is hanging the laundry to dry (晾衣服).
  • Please air the blankets in the sun (晾被子).
  • He was left out of the conversation (被晾在一边).
  • The salted fish needs to be dried in the wind (晾咸鱼).

Collocations

  • air clothes(晾衣服)
  • dry in the sun(晾晒)
  • air quilts(晾被子)
  • air-dried meat(晾肉)
  • leave someone out(晾着某人)
  • air vegetables(晾菜)

Idioms

  • To leave someone out in the cold(晾在一边)
  • To air one's grievances(晾委屈)
  • To show off one's wealth(晾富)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character combines 日 (sun) and 京 (capital), suggesting the original meaning of exposing something to sunlight in an open space.
  • In northern China, air-drying food (like meats and vegetables) is a traditional preservation method, especially during winter.
  • The metaphorical use 'to neglect/ignore someone' comes from the image of leaving someone 'out to dry' without attention.

FAQ