聳 (sǒng) - To tower & to stand tall and erect

聳Tone 3

sǒng ｜ 17 strokes ｜ radical:

树檀

聳 · sǒng

To tower;

to stand tall and erect;

to elevate;

to raise up;

to alarm or startle.

To towerto stand tall and erectto elevate

Usage highlights

ToweringAlarmingShrug shouldersLofty and toweringSublimeStretch upward

Synonyms

  • 矗— To stand tall and upright
  • 屹— To tower; to stand firm
  • 昂— To raise; to hold high

Antonyms

  • 塌— To collapse; to fall down
  • 陷— To sink; to cave in
  • 垂— To droop; to hang down

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The skyscraper towers over the city (高楼耸立).
  • He raised his shoulders in a shrug (耸了耸肩).
  • The news was shocking and alarming (耸人听闻的消息).
  • The mountain peak stands majestically (山峰高耸).

Collocations

  • Towering(耸立)
  • Alarming(耸人听闻)
  • Shrug shoulders(耸肩)
  • Lofty and towering(高耸)
  • Sublime(耸拔)
  • Stretch upward(耸身)

Idioms

  • Sensational; shocking and startling(耸人听闻)
  • Towering majestically(巍然耸立)
  • Stretching upward(耸壑昂霄)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used to describe impressive, lofty structures like mountains or buildings, conveying a sense of grandeur and majesty.
  • In the phrase 耸人听闻, it carries a negative connotation of deliberately shocking or sensationalist information.
  • The physical action of 耸肩 (shrugging shoulders) is a common gesture indicating doubt, ignorance, or indifference.

FAQ