About
The character for "栋", denoting a main beam or ridgepole and by extension a unit for buildings, originates from its traditional form 棟, which is composed of the semantic component 木 (wood) and the phonetic component 東 (east). Its core meaning has consistently centered on the primary structural support in architecture, specifically the central roof beam that bears the weight of the structure. This concrete architectural term naturally gave rise to a figurative sense, where it came to represent a vital pillar or indispensable person within a larger organization or system. While its structural role as the primary beam remains its literal definition, its most common contemporary usage is as a measure word for individual houses or structures, a semantic extension that directly stems from its association with the essential framework of a building.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这是一栋高楼。
那栋房子很旧。
我们学校有三栋教学楼。
这栋大厦是城市的标志。
那栋新建的公寓很受欢迎。
这栋建筑的风格非常独特。
他们计划拆除那栋危楼。
这栋古宅的历史可以追溯到清朝。