guà: 挂 - To Hang, Suspend, Register, Fail

• Keywords: guà, 挂, learn Chinese, hang in Chinese, suspend in Chinese, hang up the phone Chinese, fail an exam Chinese, guàke, guàhào, register at hospital Chinese, Chinese slang for die, Chinese gaming slang, AFK in Chinese
• Summary: Discover the surprisingly versatile Chinese word 挂 (guà), a term that goes far beyond its simple meaning of “to hang.” While it can mean hanging a picture on a wall, in modern Mandarin, 挂 (guà) is essential for everyday tasks like registering at a hospital (挂号), ending a phone call (挂电话), and even in popular slang for failing an exam (挂科) or “dying” in a video game (挂了). This guide explores the literal, figurative, and cultural uses of 挂 (guà), making it a must-know verb for any Chinese learner.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): guà
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: To hang, suspend, or attach something to a higher point.
• In a Nutshell: At its heart, 挂 (guà) is about the physical act of hanging something, like a coat on a hook or a clock on a wall. However, this simple action has been extended metaphorically into many areas of modern life. Think of it as “attaching” or “linking” an idea or status to something. You “attach” your name to a doctor's list (registering), you “attach” an expression to your face, and if you're unlucky, a failing grade gets “attached” to your academic record.

• 挂 (guà): This character is a phono-semantic compound, meaning one part gives a clue to the meaning and the other to the sound.
  • 扌(shǒu): This is the “hand” radical, indicating that the action is performed with the hands.
  • 圭 (guī): This character originally referred to an ancient jade tablet, a symbol of rank. Here, it primarily serves as the phonetic component, giving the character its “gua” sound.
• The combination beautifully illustrates the meaning: using your hand (扌) to perform an action that sounds like “guī” (which evolved to “guà”)—the action of hanging.

The evolution of 挂 (guà) provides a fascinating window into modern Chinese life. While the literal act of hanging is universal, its abstract uses reveal cultural specifics. A great example is 挂号 (guàhào), literally “to hang a number.” In the West, you typically “make an appointment” to see a doctor. In China's often crowded hospital system, the process is more like taking a ticket at a deli counter. You 挂号 (guàhào) to get your number “hung” on the list, securing your place in a queue. This reflects a more process-driven, first-come-first-served system common in many public services in China. Another powerful cultural insight comes from the slang term 挂科 (guàkē), “to hang a subject,” meaning to fail a course. The imagery suggests your failure is being “hung up” for all to see, a vivid metaphor that captures the immense pressure and “face” (面子, miànzi) associated with academic achievement in Chinese society. It's a casual term, but it's born from a very serious and competitive educational environment.

挂 (guà) is a high-frequency verb used in many different contexts, ranging from the literal to modern slang.

• Literal Hanging: This is the most basic usage. You can 挂 clothes, paintings, lanterns, etc.
  • e.g., 把衣服挂起来 (bǎ yīfu guà qǐlái) - “Hang up the clothes.”
• Ending a Phone Call: 挂电话 (guà diànhuà) is the standard phrase for “to hang up the phone.”
  • e.g., 我先挂了，待会儿见。 (wǒ xiān guà le, dāihuìr jiàn.) - “I'm hanging up now, see you later.”
• Registering for an Appointment: As discussed, 挂号 (guàhào) is essential for navigating Chinese hospitals.
  • e.g., 你看病以前要先去挂号。(nǐ kànbìng yǐqián yào xiān qù guàhào.) - “Before you see the doctor, you have to go register first.”
• Academic and Gaming Slang: This is where 挂 becomes very colloquial and modern.
  • 挂科 (guàkē): To fail a course. (Informal)
  • 挂了 (guà le): “It's dead,” “it's toast,” “I'm done for.” This can refer to a person dying (very informal/slang), a computer crashing, or a character being killed in a video game.
  • 挂机 (guàjī): Literally “to hang the machine.” In gaming, this means to be AFK (Away From Keyboard) but leave your character logged in, often to passively gain experience or items.

• Example 1:
  • 请把这幅画挂在客厅的墙上。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ zhè fú huà guà zài kètīng de qiáng shàng.
  • English: Please hang this painting on the living room wall.
  • Analysis: This is the most literal and basic use of 挂. The structure `把 [object] 挂在 [location]` is very common.
• Example 2:
  • 她把大衣挂在了门后的挂钩上。
  • Pinyin: Tā bǎ dàyī guà zài le mén hòu de guàgōu shàng.
  • English: She hung her overcoat on the hook behind the door.
  • Analysis: Another straightforward example of physical hanging. Note `挂钩 (guàgōu)` means “hook.”
• Example 3:
  • 我在跟你说话呢，别挂电话！
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zài gēn nǐ shuōhuà ne, bié guà diànhuà!
  • English: I'm talking to you, don't hang up the phone!
  • Analysis: A very common and practical phrase. 挂电话 is a set phrase for hanging up.
• Example 4:
  • 我明天早上得早点去医院挂一个专家号。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ míngtiān zǎoshang děi zǎodiǎn qù yīyuàn guà yí ge zhuānjiā hào.
  • English: I have to go to the hospital early tomorrow morning to register for a specialist appointment.
  • Analysis: This shows the specific use of 挂号. A `专家号 (zhuānjiā hào)` is an appointment with a specialist, which is often harder to get.
• Example 5:
  • 他因为没去期末考试，所以这门课挂了。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi méi qù qīmò kǎoshì, suǒyǐ zhè mén kè guà le.
  • English: He failed this course because he didn't go to the final exam.
  • Analysis: Here, 挂了 (guà le) is a synonym for 挂科 (guàkē). It's a very common slang term among students.
• Example 6:
  • 玩游戏的时候，我最讨厌那些一直挂机的队友。
  • Pinyin: Wán yóuxì de shíhou, wǒ zuì tǎoyàn nàxiē yìzhí guàjī de duìyǒu.
  • English: When I play games, I hate those teammates who are always AFK.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the specific gaming slang 挂机 (guàjī).
• Example 7:
  • 我的手机掉进水里，现在彻底挂了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de shǒujī diào jìn shuǐ lǐ, xiànzài chèdǐ guà le.
  • English: My phone fell into the water, and now it's completely dead.
  • Analysis: A perfect example of 挂了 used for an inanimate object that has stopped working. It's equivalent to saying “it's toast” or “it's kaput.”
• Example 8:
  • 妈妈心里总是挂着在国外留学的女儿。
  • Pinyin: Māma xīnli zǒngshì guà zhe zài guówài liúxué de nǚ'ér.
  • English: The mother is always concerned about her daughter who is studying abroad.
  • Analysis: This is a more figurative, emotional usage. `心里挂着 (xīnli guà zhe)` means to have someone on your mind, to be worried or concerned about them.
• Example 9:
  • 他的脸上总是挂着亲切的笑容。
  • Pinyin: Tā de liǎn shàng zǒngshì guà zhe qīnqiè de xiàoróng.
  • English: He always has a friendly smile on his face. (Literally: “A friendly smile is always hanging on his face.”)
  • Analysis: A beautiful, descriptive use of 挂. It vividly portrays an expression that seems to be permanently “attached” to someone's face.
• Example 10:
  • 这家公司已经正式挂牌上市了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī yǐjīng zhèngshì guàpái shàngshì le.
  • English: This company has been officially listed on the stock exchange.
  • Analysis: 挂牌 (guàpái) literally means “to hang a plaque/sign.” In a business context, it means to be officially listed or registered.

• “Dying”: 挂了 (guà le) vs. 死了 (sǐ le)
  • This is the most critical distinction for learners. 死了 (sǐ le) is the direct, neutral, and standard word for “died.” It can be used for people, animals, and plants.
  • 挂了 (guà le) is highly informal slang. Using it to talk about a real person's death can be extremely insensitive and disrespectful, unless in very specific contexts among close friends where dark humor is appropriate.
  • Correct: 他的电脑挂了。(Tā de diànnǎo guà le.) - His computer died. (Perfect use)
  • Incorrect/Insensitive: 我听说你的爷爷挂了。(Wǒ tīngshuō nǐ de yéye guà le.) - This is rude. You should say: 我听说你的爷爷去世了 (qùshì le - passed away) or 死了 (sǐ le - died).
• Not just for physical objects:
  • A common mistake for beginners is to only associate 挂 with hanging a picture. Remember its abstract uses: hanging up a phone, having a smile “hang” on your face, or having a concern “hang” in your heart. These are crucial for sounding natural.

• 挂号 (guàhào) - To register (at a hospital). A specific and essential application of 挂.
• 挂科 (guàkē) - To fail a subject/course. Popular academic slang.
• 挂念 (guàniàn) - To be concerned about, to miss someone. An emotional and figurative use.
• 开挂 (kāiguà) - To cheat in a video game. A hugely popular slang term. It literally means “to open a cheat program/plug-in,” but now describes anyone performing at a seemingly superhuman level.
• 挂机 (guàjī) - To be AFK (Away From Keyboard) in an online game. Modern internet/gaming slang.
• 悬挂 (xuánguà) - To hang, to suspend. A more formal, literary synonym for the physical act of hanging. You would see this in written descriptions but rarely use it in daily conversation.
• 挂钩 (guàgōu) - Can mean a physical “hook,” but figuratively it means to link or be associated with. (e.g., 工资和业绩挂钩 - “Salary is linked to performance.”)
• 牵挂 (qiānguà) - To be worried or concerned about someone, similar to `挂念` but often implying a deeper emotional bond.