Meanings of 耷
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About 耷
Podcast: 耷
Podcast: 耷
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AI Study Notes for 耷
This term is typically used in informal contexts, especially when describing animals. A common mistake is to confuse 耷 with other characters related to ears; remember that 耷 specifically conveys the drooping aspect. Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 'dā' to avoid miscommunication.
Although 耷 is not included in the HSK curriculum, it can help learners recognize patterns related to body parts (耳) and actions (打). Students should focus on its pronunciation and the context in which it’s used, especially in descriptive language.
Learners often misuse 耷 by applying it to describe human characteristics directly, as in '我耷着耳朵' (I droop my ears), which sounds awkward. A more appropriate expression for a person's sadness would be to use words like 忧伤 (yōushāng) instead.
Pronunciation of 耷
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Etymology of 耷
Phonosemantic compound. 耳 represents the meaning and 大 represents the sound.
ear
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 耷
Phonosemantic compound. 耳 represents the meaning and 大 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half耳 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half大 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayear
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 耷? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
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Decomposition of 耷
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How to say drooping ears in Chinese
“drooping ears” in Chinese is耷
The character 耷 (dā) refers to the action of ears drooping or hanging down, commonly used in the context of animals, particularly dogs or other creatures with floppy ears. In a broader sense, it can also describe a state of dejection or lack of alertness, often conveyed through body language.
When to use 耷
This term is typically used in informal contexts, especially when describing animals. A common mistake is to confuse 耷 with other characters related to ears; remember that 耷 specifically conveys the drooping aspect. Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 'dā' to avoid miscommunication.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 耷 by applying it to describe human characteristics directly, as in '我耷着耳朵' (I droop my ears), which sounds awkward. A more appropriate expression for a person's sadness would be to use words like 忧伤 (yōushāng) instead.
Write 耷
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Practice writing 耷 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 耷
耷 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
它的叶子在灼热的阳光下微微____拉着。
Its leaves drooped a little in the fierce heat of the sun.
Example Sentences for 耷 (6)
Word Family of 耷
Compound Meaning
What does 耷拉 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 耷
You can say, '那只狗的耳朵耷拉着' (That dog's ears are drooping).
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