Hew Meaning in English
word
Definition
To cut or shape something, especially wood or stone, with a tool like an axe or chisel. It can also mean to conform strictly to a rule or principle, but this use is less common.
Usage & Nuances
"Hew" is formal and somewhat old-fashioned. Most common in phrases like "hew wood" or "hew to tradition." In modern English, "cut" is more usual for day-to-day context. The metaphorical meaning (stick to rules) is mainly seen in formal or literary writing.
Spanish: tallar - labrar - cortarPortuguese (BR): talhar - cortar - lavrar (pedra, madeira)Portuguese (PT): talhar - cortar - lavrar (pedra, madeira)Chinese (Simplified): 砍 - 劈 - 切割Chinese (Traditional): 砍 - 劈 - 切割Hindi: काटना - छांटना - तराशनाArabic: يقطع - ينحت - يشقBengali: কাটা - তৈরি করাRussian: рубить - тесать - придерживаться (перен.)Japanese: 切る - 彫るVietnamese: đẽo - đục - tuân thủ (nghĩa bóng)Korean: 자르다 - 다듬다 - 고수하다 (비유적으로)Turkish: yontmak - kesmek - bağlı kalmak (mecazi)Urdu: کاٹنا - تراشنا - پابندی کرنا (مجازی)Indonesian: memahat - membentuk - berpegang teguh pada (kiasan)
Example Sentences
They hewed large stones to build the wall.
basic
She hewed a path through the forest.
basic
The sculpture was hewn from a single block of marble.
natural
Many traditions are hewn to by the older generation.
natural
He tried to hew to his beliefs despite the pressure.
natural
He used an axe to hew the log into shape.
basic