Definition
挺直 is a resultative verb compound (挺 'to thrust/straighten' + 直 'straight'). It means to straighten a body part (back, neck, legs, etc.) by making it upright and rigid. The object is usually a part of the body or posture. As a resultative complement, the two syllables can be separated by 得 (potential affirmative) or 不 (potential negative) to indicate whether the action is possible: 挺得直 'can straighten', 挺不直 'cannot straighten'.
v.
to straighten (one's back, body, posture, etc.)
Examples
- 挺直，。Tā tǐng zhí le shēntǐ, ràng zìjǐ xiǎnde gèng gāo.He straightened his body to make himself look taller.
- 挺直。Zuò jiǔ le yào tǐng zhí yíxià yāo.After sitting for a long time, you should straighten your back a bit.
- 挺直，。Tā tǐng zhí le yāobǎn, dà bù zǒu jìn fángjiān.He straightened his back and walked into the room with big strides.
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