站: a bus stop and taking sides are the same stance

Where the picture shows up in 站

1. 1

   stand where you're told

   请站在黄线后面。

   qǐng zhàn zài huáng xiàn hòumiàn

   Please stand behind the yellow line.

2. 2

   stay on your feet

   我一天要站八个小时。

   wǒ yì tiān yào zhàn bā ge xiǎoshí

   I'm on my feet eight hours a day.

3. 3

   the spot where vehicles stand

   下一站是哪儿？

   xià yí zhàn shì nǎr

   What's the next stop?

   站 means 'station' because it's where the vehicle plants its feet.

4. 4

   stand on someone's side

   你站在我这边吗？

   nǐ zhàn zài wǒ zhè biān ma

   Are you on my side?

5. 5

   no footing, so it can't stand

   这个理由站不住脚。

   zhège lǐyóu zhàn bu zhù jiǎo

   That reason doesn't hold up.

   站不住脚 pictures an argument with nowhere to put its feet.