What does 撑 mean in Chinese?

撑 (chēng) means "to support; to prop up; to push or move with a pole; to maintain; to open or unfurl; to fill to bursting point; brace; stay; support" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 6.

How do you pronounce 撑?

撑 is pronounced "chēng" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 1.

What HSK level is 撑?

撑 is an HSK 6 word on the new HSK exam syllabus.

What words contain the character 撑?

Common words with 撑 include 撑腰 (to support), 支撑 (to prop up), 撑拒 (to resist), 撑持 ((fig.) to sustain), 撑杆 (a pole).

How do you write 撑?

You can practice writing 撑 using our stroke order tool.

撑 (chēng), to support

撑

chēng

to support; to prop up; to push or move with a pole; to maintain

HSK 6 New to HSKverb

Traditional: 撐

Character Breakdown

Radical: 手 (no. 64)Traditional: 撐

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to support
to prop up
to push or move with a pole
to maintain
to open or unfurl
to fill to bursting point
brace
stay
support

Example Sentences

他累了，用手撑着头在思考。

Tā yòng shǒu chēng zhe tóu

He is propping up his head with his hand

Words Containing 撑

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
撑腰	chēng yāo	to support
支撑	zhī chēng	to prop up	HSK 6
撑拒	chēng jù	to resist
撑持	chēng chí	(fig.) to sustain
撑杆	chēng gān	a pole

Related Words

支撑(zhī chēng)· to prop up

→

托(tuō)· prop

→

抵(dǐ)· to press against

→

持(chí)· to hold

→

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 6
HSK 2.0: Not listed
HSK Lord study list: HSK 6 list

撑: New to the HSK lists at HSK 6. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 6 exam

Studying for HSK 6? Keep 撑 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 6 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.