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腰杆

腰桿
yāogǎn
noun #37,836

Meanings

  1. 1 the back (the part of one's torso, usually kept straight)
  2. 2 backing; support; the strength to stand up for oneself

Examples

HSK 3
挺直腰杆走路。
Tǐngzhí yāogǎn zǒulù.
Walk with a straight back.
HSK 3
国家强大了，老百姓腰杆才能挺起来。
Guójiā qiángdà le, lǎobǎixìng yāogǎn cáinéng tǐngqǐ lái.
Only when the country is strong can ordinary people hold their heads high.
HSK 5
有了证据，他说话腰杆就硬了。
Yǒule zhèngjù, tā shuōhuà yāogǎn jiù yìng le.
With the evidence in hand, he could speak with confidence.

Tips

usage
腰杆 is most powerful in its figurative sense. 腰杆硬 ('spine is hard') = confident, backed by something solid. 腰杆软 = lacking the standing or backing to push back. The image is the spine staying straight when challenged.

Stroke Order

腰 yāo
杆 gān