垂

An ideograph: depicts plant leaves drooping down, representing the act of hanging or dangling.

Later meanings expanded metaphorically: “to hand down” (as in passing on teachings or legacy), and “about to happen” (imminent).

垂下 (수하) — to hang down

垂柳 (수류) — weeping willow (lit. “hanging willow”)

垂直 (수직) — vertical, perpendicular

垂老 (수로) — old age; in one’s declining years

垂訓 (수훈) — to hand down instruction

垂危 (수위) — on the verge of death; critically ill

Common in compound words for verticality (垂直) and metaphors of imminence (垂死 “about to die”).

Figuratively, 垂 often means “to bestow, to hand down” (垂恩 “to grant grace,” 垂愛 “to show favor”).

As a component, 垂 appears in characters like 睡 (sleep), 垣 (wall), and 螓 (forehead).

Regional differences:

Mainland China: bottom horizontal stroke is written shorter than the one above; radical classified under 丿 (slash).

Taiwan: middle component 卄 is written with broken horizontal strokes, giving 9 total strokes.