Definitions

shì used in 繁峙[fán shì] (the name of a place in Shanxi)
zhì (literary) to tower aloft

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

is a phonosemantic compound: 'mountain' on the left gives the meaning, and on the right gives the sound. (, which now means 'temple', is composed of 'earth' and 'measure', but here it serves purely as a phonetic.) The character primarily describes mountains or towering structures standing tall and firm, and by extension it means to confront or stand in opposition, as when two mountains face each other, often used for a standoff or tense balance of forces.

Example Sentences Hide

两座山对着。

Liǎng zuò shān duìzhì zhe.

Two mountains are confronting each other.

他们双方对了很久。

Tāmen shuāngfāng duìzhì le hěn jiǔ.

The two sides confronted each other for a long time.

两国军队在边境对

Liǎng guó jūnduì zài biānjìng duìzhì.

The armies of two countries are in confrontation at the border.

冷战时期,美苏长期对

Lěngzhàn shíqī, Měi Sū chángqī duìzhì.

During the Cold War, the US and the USSR were in long-term confrontation.

面对困难,我们必须对到底。

Miàn duì kùnnán, wǒmen bìxū duìzhì dàodǐ.

Facing difficulties, we must confront them to the end.

在谈判中,双方立不动。

Zài tánpàn zhōng, shuāngfāng zhìlì bù dòng.

In the negotiations, both sides stood firm.

这座城市立于群山之中。

Zhè zuò chéngshì zhìlì yú qún shān zhī zhōng.

This city towers among the mountains.

经济对可能引发贸易战。

Jīngjì duìzhì kěnéng yǐnfā màoyì zhàn.

Economic confrontation may trigger a trade war.