垫 diàn cushion
cushion; mat; pad; to pad out; to pay for somebody
How to remember 垫: 执 hold on to + 土 earth = cushion. The scout has to hold on to his rolled-up bed all the way up the mountain, because the rocky earth up there needs a cushion.
Component breakdown
垫 = 执 hold on to + 土 earth
- 执 hold on to
- 土 earth
The scout has to hold on to his rolled-up bed all the way up the mountain, because the rocky earth up there needs a cushion.
How it is used
- Two uses: a pad/cushion (垫子 diànzi; 鞋垫 shoe insole), and to lay something underneath or to front money - 垫付 (diànfù) pay on someone's behalf for now.
- 垫底 (diàndǐ) = to line the bottom, or figuratively to come dead last.
- 你先垫一下 (nǐ xiān diàn yíxià) = cover it for me for now (I'll pay you back).