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撑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
撑chēngto supportHSK 6, v, 15 strokes, radical 扌, rank #2552, Hard
撑chēngto prop upHSK 6, v, 15 strokes, radical 扌, rank #2552, Hard
撑chēngto push or move with a poleHSK 6, v, 15 strokes, radical 扌, rank #2552, Hard
撑chēngto maintainHSK 6, v, 15 strokes, radical 扌, rank #2552, Hard
撑chēngto open or unfurlHSK 6, v, 15 strokes, radical 扌, rank #2552, Hard
撑chēngto fill to bursting pointHSK 6, v, 15 strokes, radical 扌, rank #2552, Hard
撑chēngbraceHSK 6, v, 15 strokes, radical 扌, rank #2552, Hard
撑chēngstayHSK 6, v, 15 strokes, radical 扌, rank #2552, Hard
撑chēngsupportHSK 6, v, 15 strokes, radical 扌, rank #2552, Hard
撑chēngto support, to prop up, to brace; overflowingHSK 6, v, 15 strokes, radical 扌, rank #2552, Hard
chēng(cheng1) T1
  1. 1to support
  2. 2to prop up
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
撑(撐)chēng(cheng1)

The character 撑 (chēng) primarily means to support or prop up something. It is often used in contexts where one is using a physical object to provide stability or maintain a position, such as propping up a tent or supporting a structure. Additionally, it can imply overflowing or being filled to capacity, indicating a sense of abundance or extreme fullness.

Strokes15Radical扌Frequency#2552DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of supporting or propping up can extend metaphorically to family and community structures, reflecting the importance of mutual support in societal relationships. For example, the phrase '撑起家' (chēng qǐ jiā) implies supporting the family unit.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large umbrella (like 撑) being held up by a person. The character has a radical for 'hand' (扌), suggesting action, while the rest of the character represents the idea of 'supporting' something heavy above. Picture yourself pushing up the umbrella to keep it from collapsing under the rain!

Meanings of 撑

chēng(cheng1)
1to support
2to prop up
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 撑

撑Simplified
撐Traditional
15Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2552Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 撑

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Podcast: 撑

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AI Study Notes for 撑

Quick Contrast

撑 (chēng) vs 支 (zhī) — use 撑 when emphasizing supporting or propping up, while 支 is more about providing support or assistance in a broader sense.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a large umbrella (like 撑) being held up by a person. The character has a radical for 'hand' (扌), suggesting action, while the rest of the character represents the idea of 'supporting' something heavy above. Picture yourself pushing up the umbrella to keep it from collapsing under the rain!

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 撑 with 支 (zhī), which also means 'to support' but in a more abstract or financial context. 撑 is more physical and tangible. It’s typically used in informal settings, but can also appear in literary contexts. Be careful with the fourth tone; it's crucial for correct pronunciation.

HSK Study Tips

While 撑 is not currently an HSK level word, it connects to HSK 3 vocabulary related to support and stability, such as 支持 (zhīchí, to support). Students should focus on the different contexts in which 撑 can be used, especially in describing physical actions and states.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of supporting or propping up can extend metaphorically to family and community structures, reflecting the importance of mutual support in societal relationships. For example, the phrase '撑起家' (chēng qǐ jiā) implies supporting the family unit.

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 撑 incorrectly in contexts that require 支持. For example, saying '我支撑这块木头' (wǒ zhīchēng zhè kuài mù tóu) instead of '我撑这块木头' (wǒ chēng zhè kuài mù tóu) when referring to physically propping up wood.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 撑

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Etymology of 撑

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 掌 represents the sound. Simplified form of 撐.

Memory Hint

hand

Semantic (meaning)扌
+
Phonetic (sound)掌
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 撑?

Decomposition of 撑

IDS Structure⿰扌掌
撑Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
掌zhang3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 撑?

Write 撑

撑

Practice writing 撑 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 撑

撑 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 10 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

军队声称叛军支____不了多久了。

The army claims the rebels are on the ropes.

Example Sentences for 撑 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
军队声称叛军支撑不了多久了。

jūn duì shēng chēng pàn jūn zhī chēng bù le duō jiǔ le。

The army claims the rebels are on the ropes.
2
她打了个滚，然后用胳膊肘把自己撑了起来。

tā dǎ le gè gǔn， ， rán hòu yòng gē bó zhǒu bǎ zì jǐ chēng le qǐ。

She rolled over and propped herself up on her elbows.
3
如果乐队能撑完巡演，那将是个奇迹。

rú guǒ lè duì néng chēng wán xún yǎn， ， nà jiāng shì gè qí。

It'll be a miracle if the band lasts out the tour.
4
他将摩托车撑脚架往上一提，开始蹬车启动。

tā jiāng mó tuō chē chēng jiǎo jià wǎng shàng yī tí， ， kāi shǐ dēng chē qǐ。

He lifted the bike off its stand and kick-started it.
5
伦纳德在温室里悠然自得地给西红柿绑上撑杆。

lún nà dé zài wēn shì lǐ yōu rán zì dé dì gěi xī hóng shì bǎng shàng chēng gān。

Leonard pottered round the greenhouse, tying up canes for the tomatoes.
6
工厂里四处都立有铁柱支撑着房顶。

gōng chǎng lǐ sì chǔ dū lì yǒu tiě zhù zhī chēng zháo fáng dǐng。

Mills have iron pillars all over the place holding up the roof.
7
但你已经撑得什么也喝不下了。

dàn nǐ yǐ jīng chēng dé shí mó yě hē bù xià le。

But you're just so stuffed you won't be able to drink anything.
8
裙架撑起的三层大裥裙从她的纤腰上款款垂下。

qún jià chēng qǐ de sān céng dà jiǎn qún cóng tā de xiān yāo shàng kuǎn kuǎn chuí xià。

From her tiny waist a crinolined skirt cascaded in three deep tiers.
9
我建议大家捡足够多的木柴来撑过这一晚。

wǒ jiàn yì dà jiā jiǎn zú gòu duō de mù chái lái chēng guò zhè yī wǎn。

I suggest we gather enough firewood to last the night.
10
杜鲁门允许他又硬撑了近两年。

dù lǔ mén yǔn xǔ tā yòu yìng chēng le jìn liǎng nián。

Truman allowed him to stagger on for nearly another two years.

Cultural Notes for 撑

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of supporting or propping up can extend metaphorically to family and community structures, reflecting the importance of mutual support in societal relationships. For example, the phrase '撑起家' (chēng qǐ jiā) implies supporting the family unit.

Word Family of 撑

Words Containing This Character12
撑chēngto support撐
支撑zhīchēngto prop up支撐
俯卧撑push-up俯臥撐
撑腰to support撐腰
硬撑to make oneself do sth in spite of adversity, pain etc硬撐
撑杆跳pole-vaulting撐桿跳
撑竿跳pole-vaulting撐竿跳
撑门面to keep up appearances撐門面
撑杆跳高pole-vaulting撐桿跳高
撑杆a pole撐杆
撑场面to keep up appearances撐場面
撑持to shore up撐持
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 撑 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 撑

撑 is more physical, used for prop-up actions, while 支持 is more abstract, often used for emotional or financial support.