横 (héng) - Horizontal & across

横Tone 2

héng ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

横 · héng

Horizontal;

across;

lateral;

to cross;

to traverse;

harsh;

unreasonable;

also used in words for horizontal stroke in calligraphy.

Horizontalacrosslateral

Usage highlights

Horizontal lineHorizontal directionCrosswiseHarsh criticismHorizontal strokeAcross the river

Synonyms

  • 平— level, flat
  • 蛮— rude, unreasonable

Antonyms

  • 竖— vertical, upright
  • 纵— vertical, longitudinal

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Draw a horizontal line (横线).
  • The river flows across the plain (横穿平原).
  • He spoke harshly (横加指责).
  • The calligraphy character has a long horizontal stroke (长横).

Collocations

  • Horizontal line(横线)
  • Horizontal direction(横向)
  • Crosswise(横贯)
  • Harsh criticism(横加指责)
  • Horizontal stroke(横笔)
  • Across the river(横渡)

Idioms

  • Obstinately hold one's own opinion(横加指责)
  • Be full of grief and indignation(横眉怒目)
  • Obstacles across the road(横亘千里)
  • Unreasonable and tyrannical(专横跋扈)
  • Horizontal and vertical(纵横交错)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese calligraphy, the horizontal stroke (横) is one of the basic strokes and represents stability and balance.
  • The character carries both literal (spatial) and metaphorical (behavioral) meanings, from 'horizontal' to 'harsh'.
  • Used in geographical contexts to describe things that cross or span across areas.

FAQ