縴 (qiàn) - Towrope — a thick rope used for towing

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器情

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Towrope — a thick rope used for towing boats along rivers or canals, typically pulled from the riverbank.

Towrope — a thick rope used for towing

Usage highlights

Pull a towropeBoat trackerTowlineTowpathTracking workTracking song

Synonyms

  • 纜— cable, hawser (thick rope for mooring or towing)
  • 繩— rope, cord (general term)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The boat was pulled by a towrope (拉縴) along the canal.
  • He worked as a boat tracker (縴夫) in his youth.
  • They used a long towline (縴繩) to guide the vessel.
  • The towpath (縴道) runs alongside the river.

Collocations

  • Pull a towrope(拉縴)
  • Boat tracker(縴夫)
  • Towline(縴繩)
  • Towpath(縴道)
  • Tracking work(縴工)
  • Tracking song(縴歌)

Idioms

  • Tracking a boat against the current(逆水行舟拉縴)
  • The boat tracker's lament(縴夫曲)
  • Shoulder the heavy rope(肩負縴繩)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Represents an important historical occupation along China's major rivers like the Yangtze.
  • Boat trackers (縴夫) were known for their physical strength and coordinated work songs.
  • Symbolizes hard labor, perseverance, and collective effort in overcoming natural obstacles.

FAQ