Definitions

táng (noun) pond; pool
táng (noun) embankment; dyke

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "塘" is structured with the earth radical "土" and the phonetic element "唐", pointing to its origin in earthen constructions related to water management. Originally signifying a dyke or embankment built to restrain or direct water, its meaning gradually expanded to include the artificial ponds and reservoirs formed by such barriers. Over time, the term shifted to denote any small, still body of water like a pond, while still preserving its earlier sense in contexts involving irrigation or hydraulic engineering, reflecting an adaptive semantic journey from specific man-made structures to broader aquatic features.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

里有小鱼。

Chí táng lǐ yǒu xiǎo yú.

There are small fish in the pond.

这个池水很浅。

Zhè gè chí táng shuǐ hěn qiǎn.

The water in this pond is very shallow.

孩子们在池边玩耍。

Hái zi men zài chí táng biān wán shuǎ.

The children are playing by the pond.

中盛开着荷花。

Chí táng zhōng shèng kāi zhe hé huā.

Lotus flowers are blooming in the pond.

我们沿着坝散步。

Wǒ men yán zhe táng bà sàn bù.

We are walking along the dam.

的水面倒映着蓝天。

Chí táng de shuǐ miàn dào yìng zhe lán tiān.

The pond's water surface reflects the blue sky.

这个养殖专门饲养鲤鱼。

Zhè gè yǎng zhí táng zhuān mén sì yǎng lǐ yú.

This breeding pond is specifically for raising carp.

为了防止洪水,他们加固了河的堤岸。

Wèi le fáng zhǐ hóng shuǐ, tā men jiā gù le hé táng de dī àn.

To prevent flooding, they reinforced the banks of the river pond.