曳 (yè) - To drag & to pull

曳Tone 4

yè ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 曰

嬿一

曳 · yè

To drag;

to pull;

to trail;

to tow.

To dragto pullto trail

Usage highlights

Drag alongTrail behindPull a cartDragging soundTowing forceDrag coefficient

Synonyms

  • 拖— to drag, to pull
  • 拉— to pull, to draw
  • 牵引— to tow, to haul

Antonyms

  • 推— to push
  • 顶— to prop up, to resist

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The boat was towed (曳船) to the shore.
  • She dragged (曳着) a heavy suitcase.
  • The comet's tail trails (曳尾) across the sky.
  • He pulled (曳引) the rope with all his strength.

Collocations

  • Drag along(曳引)
  • Trail behind(曳尾)
  • Pull a cart(曳车)
  • Dragging sound(曳声)
  • Towing force(曳力)
  • Drag coefficient(曳引系数)

Idioms

  • Dragging one's tail in the mud(曳尾涂中)
  • Dragging a long train(曳裾王门)
  • Dragging a long rope(曳绳)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient Chinese philosophy, 'dragging one's tail in the mud' (曳尾涂中) from Zhuangzi represents choosing a humble but free life over a constrained honorable one.
  • Used in classical literature to describe the movement of celestial bodies like comets with trailing tails.

FAQ