栋

棟

dòng

东 + 木

HSK 2.0Level 6

HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

dòng (classifier) classifier for houses or buildings

dòng (noun) ridgepole

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 东 represents the sound. Simplified form of 棟.

Semantic: 木 Phonetic: 东

About

栋 is the simplified form of 棟, a phono-semantic compound combining 木 (wood) with the phonetic 东 (simplified from 東). Originally, it referred to the main ridgepole, the highest horizontal beam that supports the rafters in a traditional roof. Because this beam is vital for structural integrity, the character's meaning extended to a pillar of a nation or organization, a person of great responsibility, and a measure word for buildings.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是一栋高楼。

Zhè shì yī dòng gāo lóu.

This is a tall building.

那栋房子很旧。

Nà dòng fángzi hěn jiù.

That building is very old.

我们学校有三栋教学楼。

Wǒmen xuéxiào yǒu sān dòng jiàoxuélóu.

Our school has three teaching buildings.

这栋大厦是城市的标志。

Zhè dòng dàshà shì chéngshì de biāozhì.

This skyscraper is the city's landmark.

那栋新建的公寓很受欢迎。

Nà dòng xīn jiàn de gōngyù hěn shòu huānyíng.

That newly built apartment is very popular.

这栋建筑的风格非常独特。

Zhè dòng jiànzhù de fēnggé fēicháng dútè.

The style of this building is very unique.

他们计划拆除那栋危楼。

Tāmen jìhuà chāichú nà dòng wēilóu.

They plan to demolish that dangerous building.

这栋古宅的历史可以追溯到清朝。

Zhè dòng gǔ zhái de lìshǐ kěyǐ zhuīsù dào Qīng cháo.

The history of this ancient house can be traced back to the Qing dynasty.

Related Characters

Component: 东

Component: 木

栋