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

The character 跄 is a phono-semantic compound. Its left component, the foot radical 𧾷, links it to leg movements. The right side, 仓, provides the phonetic element in its simplified form, replacing the traditional 倉. Historically, it described a rapid or ceremonious gait in classical texts. Its modern meaning has shifted entirely, now describing an unsteady, staggering walk, often due to 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