悬挂

• Pinyin: xuán guà
• Hanzi breakdown: 悬 = 心 (heart/mind) + 县 (phonetic, historical complex character); 挂 = 扌(hand) + 卦 (divination sign — phonetic)

Meaning

To hang; to suspend from above. To fix something in a hanging position.

Used for objects such as paintings, lanterns, flags, signs, and equipment. Also used metaphorically (心中悬挂着牵挂 — with worry hanging in one's heart). In technical contexts can refer to suspending mechanical components.

Examples

1. 节日期间，街道两旁悬挂着五颜六色的彩灯，将整座城市装扮得分外喜庆。 During the holidays, colorful lanterns hung along both sides of the street, dressing the entire city in a festive atmosphere.
2. 博物馆的展厅内悬挂着数十幅珍贵的历史油画，每一幅旁边都有详细的说明牌加以介绍。 Dozens of precious historical oil paintings hang in the museum gallery, each accompanied by a detailed placard introducing it.
3. 他将母亲亲手绣的那幅十字绣悬挂在客厅最显眼的位置，以表达对她深深的思念。 He hung the cross-stitch his mother embroidered by hand in the most prominent spot in the living room to express how deeply he misses her.

Usage Guide

Context: decoration, architecture, daily life

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 会议室的正前方悬挂着一面巨大的国旗，象征着国家的权威与尊严，令人肃然起敬。(A large national flag hangs at the very front of the conference room, symbolising the authority and dignity of the state and inspiring a sense of solemnity.)
• 艺术家将装置作品悬挂在展厅中央，让观众从四面八方都能欣赏到它的不同面貌。(The artist suspended the installation piece at the centre of the gallery, allowing viewers to appreciate it from all angles.)

Don't Say

• 他悬挂了一个决定 — 悬挂 is a physical verb meaning to hang an object; for keeping a decision unresolved use 搁置 or 悬而未决; 悬挂 cannot describe abstract decisions or matters

Origin & History

悬 (to hang/suspend) + 挂 (to hang/hook up)

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal