HSK · Level 106
45 words
Chinese word
垂
Pronunciation
Pinyinchuí
Meaning
- verbhang down
Example
灯笼从屋檐上垂下来。dēng lóng cóng wū yán shàng chuí xià lái
The lantern hangs down from the eaves.
More examples
秋天，柳树的枝条垂到了河面。qiū tiān liǔ shù de zhī tiáo chuí dào le hé miàn
In autumn, the willow branches hung down to the river's surface.
Core concept
A long, loose, or heavy thing loses its lift and rests below its support, creating a downward shape that also suggests a lowered face or mood.
Common phrases
垂下来chuí xià lái
hang down
垂涎欲滴chuí xián yù dī
drool with desire
垂在窗沿chuí zài chuāng yán
hang from the windowsill
Similar words
下垂xià chuí: Droops naturally downward when a part or tip is weighed down.
挂guà: Hangs something by hooking it onto or placing it on a support.
耷拉dā lā: Sags limply downward with little strength or firmness.
Definition in Chinese
表示物体向下悬垂或处于下垂状态，也常用于比喻表情或情绪的低落，并可用于描述植物、灯笼等的下垂形态。biǎo shì wù tǐ xiàng xià xuán chuí huò chǔ yú xià chuí zhuàng tài yě cháng yòng yú bǐ yù biǎo qíng huò qíng xù de dī luò bìng kě yòng yú miáo shù zhí wù dēng lóng děng de xià chuí xíng tài
Word origin
In early Chinese writing, 垂 (chuí, "hang down") was linked to a pictured downward form, and its lasting physical sense provides a bridge to descriptions of drooping plants, objects, faces, and moods.
Usage tips
- English often separates physical drooping from emotional low spirits, while Chinese can extend the same verb across both settings, so the subject and context help identify the intended sense.
Other meanings
- droopverb
Opposites
- 举起jú qǐraiseverb
- 上升shàng shēngriseverb
Related words
- 下垂xià chuíhang downverb
- 垂涎chuí xiándroolverb
- 垂直chuí zhíverticaladjective