verb HSK 4
to lie on one's stomach · to lean on · to bend over
Meaning
趴 describes the action of lying face-down or leaning forward with the upper body resting on something. It commonly refers to resting or sleeping in a prone position, or leaning over a desk or table.
Usage
Native speakers frequently use 趴 to describe taking a quick nap at a desk (趴着睡), studying while leaning over books, or children playing on the floor. It emphasizes the physical posture of having the front of the body against a surface. Often combined with direction complements like 趴下 (lie down) or 趴在 (lie on).
Examples
- 01他太累了，趴在桌子上就睡着了。, .He was so tired that he fell asleep lying on the desk.
- 02小狗趴在地上晒太阳。.The puppy is lying on the ground sunbathing.
Common collocations
- 趴下to lie down (prone)
- 趴在桌子上to lie/lean on the desk
- 趴着睡to sleep while lying face-down
- 趴着写to write while leaning over
Antonyms
Origin
The character 趴 combines the foot radical 足 with the phonetic component 八, though the semantic connection is not immediately transparent in modern usage.