楣

méi

木 + 眉

Definitions

méi lintel; crossbeam

Etymology phono-semantic

wood

Semantic: 木 Phonetic: 眉

About

The phono-semantic character 楣 denotes a lintel, the horizontal beam above a door or window. Its semantic component 木 (wood) reflects the traditional use of timber in such architectural elements. The phonetic component 眉 (eyebrow) also provides a visual analogy, since a lintel sits over an opening just as an eyebrow arches over an eye. Beyond its literal sense, 楣 is used in cultural phrases for a family's honor or social standing, drawing on the prominence of the household entrance.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

门楣上挂着灯笼。

Mén méi shàng guà zhe dēnglong.

There are lanterns hanging on the door lintel.

他家的门楣很高。

Tā jiā de mén méi hěn gāo.

The lintel of his house is very high.

我们在窗楣下避雨。

Wǒmen zài chuāng méi xià bì yǔ.

We took shelter from the rain under the window lintel.

古老的门楣雕刻精美。

Gǔlǎo de mén méi diāokè jīngměi.

The ancient door lintel has exquisite carvings.

工人正在安装新的门楣。

Gōngrén zhèngzài ānzhuāng xīn de mén méi.

The workers are installing a new door lintel.

门楣上的油漆已经剥落了。

Mén méi shàng de yóuqī yǐjīng bōluò le.

The paint on the door lintel has already peeled off.

这户人家的门楣象征着他们的地位。

Zhè hù rénjiā de mén méi xiàngzhēng zhe tāmen de dìwèi.

The door lintel of this family symbolizes their status.

修复古建筑时，他们特别注重门楣的原始设计。

Xiūfù gǔ jiànzhù shí, tāmen tèbié zhùzhòng mén méi de yuánshǐ shèjì.

When restoring the ancient building, they paid special attention to the original design of the door lintel.

Related Characters

Component: 木

Component: 眉

楣