Definitions

(verb) to press against; to resist
(verb) to arrive at; to reach
(verb) to mortgage; to put up as collateral
(verb) to equal; to balance; to make up for

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

is a phono-semantic compound with the hand radical on the left and the phonetic on the right. The hand component indicates an action done with the hands, originally meaning to push against, prop up, or support something to prevent it from falling or advancing. From this physical sense, it broadened to include abstract ideas of resisting, opposing, or counterbalancing a force or influence. It later acquired the sense of arriving at a destination or reaching a point, as well as the financial concept of mortgaging or pledging an asset as collateral against a debt.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们下午达机场。

Wǒmen xiàwǔ dǐdá jīchǎng.

We arrive at the airport in the afternoon.

他们抗敌人的进攻。

Tāmen dǐkàng dírén de jìngōng.

They resist the enemy's attack.

这些费用消了利润。

Zhèxiē fèiyòng dǐxiāo le lìrùn.

These expenses offset the profit.

他用房子押贷款。

Tā yòng fángzi dǐyā dàikuǎn.

He used the house as collateral for a loan.

他的意见触了政策。

Tā de yìjiàn dǐchù le zhèngcè.

His opinion conflicts with the policy.

我们无法挡这种诱惑。

Wǒmen wúfǎ dǐdǎng zhè zhǒng yòuhuò.

We cannot resist this temptation.

他试图赖所有的指控。

Tā shìtú dǐlài suǒyǒu de zhǐkòng.

He tried to deny all accusations.

他用劳动偿了债务。

Tā yòng láodòng dǐcháng le zhàiwù.

He compensated the debt with labor.