垂

chuí

⑥ + 一 + 丿

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

chuí (verb) to hang down; to droop; to dangle

chuí (adverb) nearly; almost; to approach

chuí (verb) to hand down; to bequeath

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 土 represents the meaning and 𠂹 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "borderland", now written as 陲. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

The character 垂 is a phonosemantic compound, combining the semantic element 土 'earth' with the phonetic element 𠂹. Its original meaning was 'borderland,' a sense now written with the added mound radical as 陲. 垂 was later borrowed solely for its sound to convey the idea of hanging down or drooping, as with willow branches or tears. This concrete image extended into abstract uses for events that are imminent or approaching, and for actions performed with a condescending grace.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

窗帘垂下来了。

Chuānglián chuí xiàlái le.

The curtain has hung down.

他垂直地站着。

Tā chuízhí de zhàn zhe.

He is standing vertically.

垂柳在河边生长。

Chuíliǔ zài hé biān shēngzhǎng.

Weeping willows grow by the river.

爷爷喜欢在湖边垂钓。

Yéye xǐhuān zài hú biān chuídiào.

Grandpa likes to fish by the lake.

熟透的果子垂在枝头。

Shú tòu de guǒzi chuí zài zhītóu.

The ripe fruits hang from the branches.

他对那幅画垂涎已久。

Tā duì nà fú huà chuíxián yǐ jiǔ.

He has been drooling over that painting for a long time.

在垂暮之年，他写下了回忆录。

Zài chuímù zhī nián, tā xiě xiàle huíyìlù.

In his twilight years, he wrote his memoirs.

尽管身体垂危，他仍坚持完成工作。

Jǐnguǎn shēntǐ chuíwēi, tā réng jiānchí wánchéng gōngzuò.

Although his body is critically ill, he still insists on finishing his work.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: ⑥

Component: 一

Component: 丿

垂