支撑

支撐

zhīchēng

verb/noun HSK 6 #7,002

Meanings

1 to prop up; to support; to sustain
2 support; brace; pillar

Characters

to support; to sustain

to prop up; to hold up

Double support — to hold something up, both literally (a structure) and figuratively (a business, a family).

Examples

柱子支撑着整个屋顶。

Zhùzi zhīchēng zhe zhěnggè wūdǐng.

The pillars support the entire roof.

他一个人支撑着这个家。

Tā yīgè rén zhīchēng zhe zhège jiā.

He supports this family all by himself.

公司快支撑不住了。

Gōngsī kuài zhīchēng bùzhù le.

The company can barely hold on any longer.

信念是她的精神支撑。

Xìnniàn shì tā de jīngshén zhīchēng.

Faith is her spiritual support.

Tips

usage

支撑 is both physical (propping up a building) and emotional/economic (sustaining a family, keeping a business afloat). 支撑不住 = can't hold on any longer (physically or figuratively).

Stroke Order

支 zhī

撑 chēng