to support; to prop up; to barely hold on
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplesverb
to support; to prop up; to hold up
Used literally for physical structures.
Zhè这
zuò座
gǔ古
lǎo老
de的
qiáo桥
liáng梁
yóu由
jǐ几
gēn根
shí石
zhù柱
zhī支
chēng撑
zhe着
。
This ancient bridge is supported by several stone pillars.
Kēng坑
dào道
lǐ里
yòng用
zhù柱
zi子
zhī支
chēng撑
zhe着
，
fáng防
zhǐ止
tā塌
fāng方
。
Pillars are used in the tunnel to support it and prevent collapse.
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Tiān天
huā花
bǎn板
kāi开
shǐ始
xià下
chén沉
，
xū需
yào要
lì立
kè刻
zhǎo找
dōng东
xī西
zhī支
chēng撑
yī一
xià下
。
The ceiling is starting to sag and needs something to prop it up immediately.
verb
to barely hold on; to sustain; to manage
Used metaphorically for situations, finances, health, or emotional states.
Tā他
fā发
zhe着
gāo高
shāo烧
，
hái还
zhī支
chēng撑
zhe着
wán完
chéng成
le了
yǎn演
jiǎng讲
。
He had a high fever but still managed to finish the speech.
Yī一
jiā家
de的
shēng生
huó活
kāi开
xiāo销
quán全
kào靠
tā他
wēi微
bó薄
de的
gōng工
zī资
zhī支
chēng撑
。
The family's living expenses are barely sustained by his meager salary.
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Zhè这
jiā家
xiǎo小
gōng公
sī司
hái还
néng能
zhī支
chēng撑
duō多
jiǔ久
shì是
gè个
wèn问
tí题
。
How much longer this small company can hold on is a question.
Tā他
nèi内
xīn心
fēi非
cháng常
tòng痛
kǔ苦
，
quán全
píng凭
yī一
gǔ股
xìn信
niàn念
zhī支
chēng撑
zhe着
。
He was in great inner pain, sustained only by a belief.