撑

• Pinyin: chēng
• Hanzi breakdown: 撑 = 扌(hand) + 掌 variant, to prop up or support

Meaning

To prop up; to support; to hold open; to endure. To use force to keep something up or open.

Has multiple related meanings: physically propping up or opening something (like an umbrella), supporting someone or something, enduring or holding out, and being too full from eating. The core meaning involves exerting force to maintain a state.

Examples

1. 雨太大了，我去拿把伞撑着。 The rain is too heavy — let me go get an umbrella to hold up.
2. 这家公司全靠他一个人撑着，太不容易了。 This company is being held up by him alone — it's really not easy.
3. 吃得太撑了，得出去走走消化一下。 I ate so much I'm stuffed — I need to go for a walk to digest.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, business

Tone: varies

Do Say

• 你先撑一下，我马上就来帮你。(Hold on for a bit — I'll come help you right away.)
• 撑把伞再出门吧。(Open an umbrella before going out.)

Don't Say

• 注意'撑'的多种含义 (Note the multiple meanings of 撑 — physically propping up, enduring, supporting, or being stuffed from eating)

Origin & History

The character combines 扌(hand radical) with 掌 variant, originally depicting the action of pushing or propping up with hands.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal