挺

tǐng

廷 + 扌

HSK 2.0Level 4

HSK 3.0Level 3

Definitions

tǐng (adverb) quite; very

tǐng (adjective,verb) straight; erect; to stick out

tǐng (verb) to support; to withstand

tǐng (adjective) outstanding

Etymology

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

Semantic: 扌 Phonetic: 廷

About

挺 is a phonosemantic compound: the hand radical 扌 on the left signals a physical action, while 廷 (tíng) on the right supplies the sound. Its original meaning was the specific motion of thrusting forward or straightening up the body. From this idea of rigid straightness came figurative senses like enduring hardship, holding out against pressure, and sticking out prominently from a surface. The notion of standing out later developed into an adverbial use, where 挺 means 'very' or 'quite' to intensify the adjective that follows.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个苹果挺好吃的。

Zhège píngguǒ tǐng hǎochī de.

This apple is quite delicious.

他今天挺高兴。

Tā jīntiān tǐng gāoxìng.

He is quite happy today.

这部电影挺有意思的。

Zhè bù diànyǐng tǐng yǒuyìsi de.

This movie is quite interesting.

虽然下雨，但他挺准时到的。

Suīrán xià yǔ, dàn tā tǐng zhǔnshí dào de.

Although it was raining, he arrived quite on time.

我觉得这个提议挺好，但是需要再考虑一下。

Wǒ juéde zhège tíyì tǐng hǎo, dànshì xūyào zài kǎolǜ yīxià.

I think this proposal is quite good, but it needs further consideration.

她挺喜欢在公园里散步，尤其是早晨。

Tā tǐng xǐhuān zài gōngyuán lǐ sànbù, yóuqí shì zǎochen.

She quite likes walking in the park, especially in the morning.

如果你挺努力，就会取得好成绩。

Rúguǒ nǐ tǐng nǔlì, jiù huì qǔdé hǎo chéngjì.

If you work quite hard, you will achieve good results.

尽管遇到不少困难，他依然挺直腰板，继续前进。

Jǐnguǎn yùdào bù shǎo kùnnán, tā yīrán tǐngzhí yāobǎn, jìxù qiánjìn.

Despite encountering many difficulties, he still straightened his back and continued forward.

Related Characters

Component: 廷

Component: 扌

挺