Definition
腰杆 literally means 'the lower back / waist area' but is more commonly used as a figurative expression for 'backing, support, or one's reliable foundation' — especially in phrases like 腰杆子硬 ('to have strong backing'). As a body part, it appears in 腰杆挺直 ('stand straight / hold one's back straight'). The figurative use is where most HSK 7‑level examples occur.
n.
lower backwaist (body part)backingsupport (figurative, often in 腰杆子硬)
Examples
- ，腰杆。Tā niánjì dà le, yāo gān jiànjiàn wān le xiàqù.He is old, and his lower back has gradually bent down.
- ，腰杆。Yǒu gōngsī zuò hòudùn, tā de yāo gān gèng yìng le.With the company as his backing, his support is stronger.
- 腰杆，亢。Zuòrén yào yāo gān tǐng zhí, bù bēi bù kàng.One should hold one's back straight and be neither humble nor arrogant.
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