跂 (qí) - To stand on tiptoe & to aspire

跂Tone 2

qí ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

七器

跂 · qí

To stand on tiptoe;

to aspire;

to yearn for;

also refers to extra toes.

To stand on tiptoeto aspireto yearn for

Usage highlights

Stand on tiptoeYearn forExtra toesTiptoe stanceAspire eagerlyLook forward anxiously

Synonyms

  • 企— stand on tiptoe; look forward to
  • 望— gaze into distance; hope for

Antonyms

  • 踞— squat; sit with legs spread
  • 伏— prostrate; bow down

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She stood on tiptoe to see over the crowd (跂而望之).
  • He aspires to achieve great success (跂予望之).
  • The frog has extra toes (跂踵).

Collocations

  • Stand on tiptoe(跂望)
  • Yearn for(跂予望之)
  • Extra toes(跂踵)
  • Tiptoe stance(跂立)
  • Aspire eagerly(跂跂)
  • Look forward anxiously(跂想)

Idioms

  • Standing on tiptoe to see(延颈跂踵)
  • Eagerly looking forward(翘首跂踵)
  • Yearning with outstretched neck(延颈举跂)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In classical texts, 跂 often depicts physical stretching or mental aspiration.
  • The character appears in Zhuangzi's discussion of natural versus artificial (e.g., extra toes as unnatural).
  • Used metaphorically in literature to express longing or striving for something beyond reach.

FAQ