擎

qíng
手 + 敬

Definitions

qíng to raise; to hold up; to lift up

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 手 represents the meaning and 敬 represents the sound.

Semantic: 手 Phonetic: 敬

About

擎 is a phono-semantic compound: the hand radical 手 at the bottom signals a manual action, while 敬 on top provides the sound. Though 敬 usually means respect, it functions here solely as the phonetic marker. The character means to lift up and hold something aloft, implying the strength needed to support a heavy weight from below, and is often used for raising objects like torches, banners, or umbrellas.

Example Sentences Hide

发动机引擎需要定期保养。

Fādòngjī yǐnqíng xūyào dìngqī bǎoyǎng.

The engine needs regular maintenance.

他双手擎着沉重的箱子。

Tā shuāngshǒu qíngzhe chénzhòng de xiāngzi.

He held the heavy box with both hands.

英雄是国家的擎天柱。

Yīngxióng shì guójiā de qíngtiānzhù.

Heroes are the pillars of the nation.

擎天一柱，巍然耸立。

Qíng tiān yī zhù, wēirán sǒnglì.

A pillar propping up the sky, towering majestically.

众人合力，擎起了倒塌的横梁。

Zhòngrén hé lì, qíng qǐle dǎotā de héngliáng.

Everyone worked together to lift up the fallen beam.

他单臂擎旗，走在队伍最前面。

Tā dānbì qíng qí, zǒu zài duìwu zuì qiánmiàn.

He held the flag aloft with one arm, walking at the front of the procession.

这份责任，他愿意一力擎起。

Zhè fèn zérèn, tā yuànyì yīlì qíng qǐ.

He is willing to shoulder this responsibility alone.

信念如巨手，擎住了即将倾覆的理想。

Xìnniàn rú jù shǒu, qíng zhùle jíjiāng qīngfù de lǐxiǎng.

Faith, like a giant hand, propped up the ideals that were about to collapse.

Related Characters

Component: 手

手 拿 掌 摩 拳 攀 摹 挚 挛 掣 掰 挈 挲 搿

Component: 敬

警 儆 檠 驚 㯳 璥

Example Words

引擎 一柱擎天 引擎盖 众擎易举