Chinese word

撑

Pronunciation

Pinyinchēng

Meaning

  • verbsupport

Example

我用手撑着门，不让它关上。wǒ yòng shǒu chēng zhe mén bú ràng tā guān shàng

I supported the door with my hand so it wouldn't close.

Illustration for 撑 (support)

More examples

雨越下越大，她把伞撑起来走进屋里。yǔ yuè xià yuè dà tā bǎ sǎn chēng qǐ lái zǒu jìn wū lǐ

As the rain grew heavier, she held up her umbrella and went inside.

Core concept

Holding against pressure so a thing stays up, intact, or filled instead of giving way.

Common phrases

  • 撑着门chēng zhe mén

    hold the door open

  • 撑着伞chēng zhe sǎn

    hold up an umbrella

  • 撑不住chēng bú zhù

    cannot hold out

Similar words

支撑zhī chēng: Supporting something from below with an object or force so it does not fall or collapse.
支持zhī chí: Agreeing with an opinion or action and helping it continue.
承受chéng shòu: Taking on and bearing a heavy burden, loss, or other serious strain.
忍受rěn shòu: Putting up with pain or discomfort without giving in.

Definition in Chinese

在困难或疲劳时坚持下去，维持某种状态不崩溃。zài kùn nán huò pí láo shí jiān chí xià qù wéi chí móu zhǒng zhuàng tài bù bēng kuì

Word origin

撑 (chēng, "to prop up") develops from exerting force to hold something open or upright, then extends to enduring strain and having no room left in the stomach.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 吃撑了 (chī chēng le, "ate until uncomfortably full") uses the same pressure idea for the body, making it a useful everyday contrast with English full.

Other meanings

  • be fullverb
  • hold outverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 撑起chēng qǐprop upverb
  • 撑开chēng kāipry openverb
  • 撑腰chēng yāoback someone upverb

Word lists with this word