挡

• Pinyin: dǎng
• Hanzi breakdown: 挡 = 扌(hand radical) + 当 (phonetic)

Meaning

To block; to obstruct; to shield. To prevent something from passing or reaching.

Can be physical blocking (blocking wind, blocking a path) or abstract (blocking an attack, resisting). Also refers to gears in a vehicle (挡位). Common in compounds like 阻挡 (obstruct), 遮挡 (shelter).

Examples

1. 他用手挡住了刺眼的阳光，仔细看着远方。 He blocked the glaring sunlight with his hand and looked carefully into the distance.
2. 这棵大树能挡住很多风雨。 This big tree can block a lot of wind and rain.
3. 不管遇到什么困难，都不能挡住我们前进的脚步。 No matter what difficulties we encounter, nothing can stop our forward progress.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, sports, driving

Tone: active

Do Say

• 挡住去路。(Block the way.)
• 用伞挡雨。(Use an umbrella to block the rain.)

Don't Say

• 说'挡掉'来表示完全阻止——通常说'挡住'，'挡掉'不太自然 (Don't say 挡掉 to mean completely blocking — 挡住 is more natural)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character: 扌(hand) indicates action, 当 is the phonetic component.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal