耷 (dā) - Large-eared & drooping

耷Tone 1

dā ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

耷 · dā

Large-eared;

drooping;

floppy (especially of ears);

to hang down.

Large-eareddroopingfloppy (especially of ears)

Usage highlights

Drooping earsHanging headDrooping eyelidsFloppy earsDrooping shouldersWilted and drooping

Synonyms

  • 垂— to hang down; droop
  • 拉— to pull; drag (in 耷拉)

Antonyms

  • 竖— to stand erect; upright
  • 昂— to hold high; raised

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The dog has floppy ears (耷拉耳朵).
  • He hung his head in shame (耷拉着脑袋).
  • The wilted flowers drooped (花朵耷拉下来).
  • The rabbit's ears are long and droopy (兔子耷拉着长耳朵).

Collocations

  • Drooping ears(耷拉耳朵)
  • Hanging head(耷拉脑袋)
  • Drooping eyelids(耷拉眼皮)
  • Floppy ears(大耳朵耷拉着)
  • Drooping shoulders(耷拉着肩膀)
  • Wilted and drooping(蔫耷耷)

Idioms

  • Drooping head and dispirited(蔫头耷脑)
  • Listless and dejected(没精打采, 耷拉着脑袋)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally described large, drooping ears, particularly in animals like elephants or dogs.
  • Extended meaning to describe any hanging or drooping posture, often conveying dejection or listlessness.
  • Used in colloquial expressions to depict physical states of fatigue, sadness, or wilting.

FAQ