跄

蹌

qiāng, qiàng

仓 + 𧾷

Definitions

qiāng walk rapidly

qiàng stagger; sway from side to side

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 足 represents the meaning and 仓 represents the sound. Simplified form of 蹌.

Semantic: 足 Phonetic: 仓

About

跄 is a phono-semantic compound with the foot radical 𧾷 (足) on the left, indicating a meaning related to walking or leg movement, and 仓 on the right as the phonetic component. It is the simplified form of 蹌, replacing the traditional phonetic 倉. Historically, the character described a rapid or rhythmically measured gait in formal ceremonies. Today, it has shifted to the opposite meaning: a staggering, unsteady walk, often from injury, exhaustion, or intoxication.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他走路有点踉跄。

Tā zǒulù yǒudiǎn liàngqiàng.

He walks a bit unsteadily.

老人踉跄地向前走。

Lǎorén liàngqiàng de xiàngqián zǒu.

The old man staggered forward.

他喝醉后踉跄回家。

Tā hēzuì hòu liàngqiàng huíjiā.

He staggered home after getting drunk.

受伤的运动员踉跄着冲过终点。

Shòushāng de yùndòngyuán liàngqiàng zhe chōngguò zhōngdiǎn.

The injured athlete staggered across the finish line.

在黑暗中，他踉跄了几步才站稳。

Zài hēi'àn zhōng, tā liàngqiàng le jǐ bù cái zhàn wěn.

In the darkness, he staggered a few steps before steadying himself.

她因头晕而踉跄了一下。

Tā yīn tóuyūn ér liàngqiàng le yīxià.

She staggered a bit due to dizziness.

尽管踉跄不断，他仍然坚持走到了目的地。

Jǐnguǎn liàngqiàng bùduàn, tā réngrán jiānchí zǒu dào le mùdìdì.

Despite constant staggering, he still persevered and walked to the destination.

在暴风雨中，他踉跄着试图保持平衡，但最终还是摔倒了。

Zài bàofēngyǔ zhōng, tā liàngqiàng zhe shìtú bǎochí pínghéng, dàn zuìzhōng háishì shuāidǎo le.

In the storm, he staggered trying to maintain balance, but ultimately fell down.

Related Characters

Component: 仓

Component: 𧾷

跄