Meaning
抵 is a versatile verb primarily meaning to resist, oppose, or withstand something. It also means to compensate or offset one thing against another, and can mean to arrive at a destination. The character combines the hand radical (扌) with 氐 (dǐ), suggesting the action of using force to push against or balance something.
Usage
抵 appears frequently in formal and written contexts, often in compounds like 抵抗 (resist), 抵达 (arrive), and 抵押 (mortgage). It's less common as a standalone verb in casual speech. When meaning 'to offset,' it's often used in financial or accounting contexts. Native speakers typically use it in compound words rather than alone.
Examples
- 01我们必须增强身体的抵抗力。.We must strengthen our body's resistance.
- 02飞机预计下午三点抵达北京。.The plane is expected to arrive in Beijing at 3 PM.
Common collocations
- 抵抗力resistance; immunity
- 抵御to resist; to ward off
- 抵消to offset; to cancel out
- 大抵generally; for the most part
Antonyms
Origin
The character combines 扌(hand radical) with 氐 (dǐ, a phonetic component meaning 'bottom' or 'foundation'), suggesting the idea of using one's hand to push against or support something at its base.