抗

kàng

亢 + 扌

Definitions

kàng (verb) to resist; to oppose

kàng (adjective) anti-

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 亢 represents the sound.

About

抗 is a phono-semantic compound with the hand radical 扌 on the left, pointing to physical effort or manual action, and the phonetic 亢 on the right. Its earliest meaning was simply to lift or raise an object. From this concrete starting point, the sense evolved, the notion of lifting gradually extended to the metaphorical idea of standing up against an opposing force, yielding the meanings to resist, oppose, and defy. Today, 抗 is widely used in compound words for rebellion, protests, and antibodies (in medical terminology), reflecting its semantic journey from a physical action to abstract opposition.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

抗病需要增强体质。

Kàng bìng xūyào zēngqiáng tǐzhì.

Resisting illness requires strengthening one's physical fitness.

医生给我开了抗生素。

Yīshēng gěi wǒ kāile kàngshēngsù.

The doctor prescribed antibiotics for me.

农民们积极抗旱。

Nóngmínmen jījí kànghàn.

The farmers are actively fighting the drought.

民众上街抗议示威。

Mínzhòng shàngjiē kàngyì shìwēi.

The public took to the streets to protest and demonstrate.

抗日战争持续了十四年。

Kàng Rì Zhànzhēng chíxùle shí sì nián.

The War of Resistance Against Japan lasted for fourteen years.

他抗压能力很强。

Tā kàngyā nénglì hěn qiáng.

He has a strong ability to withstand pressure.

军民团结一心抗灾。

Jūnmín tuánjié yīxīn kàngzāi.

The military and civilians united as one to combat the disaster.

他在法庭上提出抗辩。

Tā zài fǎtíng shàng tíchū kàngbiàn.

He entered a plea in court.

Related Characters

Component: 亢

Component: 扌

抗