抵挡
dǐ dǎng · HSK 7
to resist
🛡️ dǐ dǎng = resist + block — a dee-fence that dangs shut
抵 means to resist or push against, 挡 means to block or obstruct. Together they form a double barrier: first you push back (抵), then you block the path (挡). The sounds dee-dang echo a gate clanging shut.
挡 — hand radical 扌 + 当 dāng (phonetic)
挡 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The hand radical 扌 signals an action done with the hand, while 当 (dāng) supplies the sound. The combined character means to block, obstruct, or ward off — actions naturally performed by hand. It is the simplified form of 擋.