Definitions

táng (noun) hall; main room
táng (noun) classroom; lecture hall
táng (noun) members of same clan; paternal relatives

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "堂" is structurally composed of "尚" positioned above "土", with the lower component directly indicating earth and implying an elevated or solid foundation. Its original meaning centered on the main hall of a building, typically constructed upon a raised earthen platform, which led to its core association with a formal, spacious room. From this architectural origin, the term's semantic range broadened to encompass any dignified public space, such as a court of law, a classroom, or a ceremonial chamber, while also developing extended uses in familial and institutional contexts. Throughout its history, the character's visual form has remained consistent, maintaining its etymological suggestion of a structure built upon the earth.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们在课上学中文。

Wǒmen zài kètáng shàng xué Zhōngwén.

We learn Chinese in the classroom.

的饭菜很好吃。

Shítáng de fàncài hěn hǎo chī.

The dining hall's food is very delicious.

里正在举行婚礼。

Lǐtáng lǐ zhèngzài jǔxíng hūnlǐ.

A wedding is being held in the auditorium.

他是我哥,很关心我。

Tā shì wǒ tánggē, hěn guānxīn wǒ.

He is my elder cousin, and he cares about me a lot.

这个教建于十九世纪。

Zhège jiàotáng jiàn yú shíjiǔ shìjì.

This church was built in the 19th century.

法院的法庭庄严肃穆。

Fǎyuàn de fǎtíng zhuāngyán sùmù.

The court's courtroom is solemn and dignified.

学校的大装饰得很漂亮。

Xuéxiào de dàtáng zhuāngshì de hěn piàoliang.

The school's hall is decorated very beautifully.

专家在讲上发表了精彩演讲。

Zhuānjiā zài jiǎngtáng shàng fābiǎole jīngcǎi yǎnjiǎng.

The expert delivered a wonderful speech in the lecture hall.