支撐

to prop up / to support / strut / brace

Characters and words in 支撐

surname Zhi

to support / to sustain / to erect / to raise / branch / division / to draw money / classifier for rods such as pens and guns, for army divisions and for songs or compositions

支 = 十 + 又 : Mnemonic symbol: a tree branch. James II of England (zh) has to repair the hull of the space station. His tool is a big cross (十) with one end cushioned with a boxing glove (又), which he is to use as a hammer. As he is floating in front of the space station (Ø1), the only tool to support him is a wooden branch (支) so that he won't float away.

撑

撐

che̅ng = ch + (e)ng1

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

撑 = 扌 + 掌 : Charlie Chaplin (ch) is bracing (撑) himself for his next battle in front of the engine ((e)ng1). He supports (撑) his feet with horseshoes (掌) and holds a toy claw (扌) in each hand.