垫

墊

diàn

土 + 执

HSK 2.0Level 6

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

diàn (noun) pad; cushion; mat

diàn (verb) to pad out; to fill a gap

diàn (verb) to advance (money); to pay for someone

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 土 represents the meaning and 执 represents the sound. Simplified form of 墊.

Semantic: 土 Phonetic: 执

About

垫 is a phono-semantic compound: the radical 土 ('earth') at the bottom gives the meaning, while 执 above is a simplified phonetic marker derived from 執. The traditional form, 墊, pairs the same earth radical with 執. The character centers on a cushion, pad, or mat placed under something to support, elevate, or level it, an idea rooted in the ground (土). As a verb, it extends to filling in a hollow or temporarily advancing money for someone, with the expectation of repayment.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我把垫子放在地板上。

Wǒ bǎ diànzi fàng zài dìbǎn shàng.

I placed the cushion on the floor.

沙发上的坐垫很柔软。

Shāfā shàng de zuòdiàn hěn róuruǎn.

The cushion on the sofa is very soft.

请在桌子脚下垫些纸。

Qǐng zài zhuōzi jiǎo xià diàn xiē zhǐ.

Please put some paper under the table leg.

他用书本把显示器垫高了。

Tā yòng shūběn bǎ xiǎnshìqì diàn gāo le.

He used books to raise the monitor higher.

搬家时垫上旧衣服防止刮擦。

Bānjiā shí diàn shàng jiù yīfu fángzhǐ guācā.

When moving, pad with old clothes to prevent scratches.

公司先为项目垫付了启动资金。

Gōngsī xiān wèi xiàngmù diànfù le qǐdòng zījīn.

The company advanced the startup funds for the project.

这个护腕可以垫在手腕下面。

Zhège hùwàn kěyǐ diàn zài shǒuwàn xiàmiàn.

This wrist guard can be padded under the wrist.

他为团队垫资的行为值得称赞。

Tā wèi tuánduì diànzī de xíngwéi zhídé chēngzàn.

His act of providing funds for the team is commendable.

Related Characters

Component: 土

Component: 执

垫