槛

檻

jiàn, kǎn

木 + 监

Definitions

jiàn banister; balustrade; cage for animal or prisoner; to transport caged prisoner on a cart

kǎn door sill; threshold

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 监 represents the sound. Simplified form of 檻.

Semantic: 木 Phonetic: 监

About

The character 槛 (traditional form: 檻) is a phonosemantic compound. The left component 木 (wood) indicates the object was originally made of wood, while the right component, simplified 监 or traditional 監, provides the sound. It has two distinct pronunciations and meanings. As kǎn, it refers to a threshold or doorsill, the wooden beam at the bottom of a door frame. As jiàn, it denotes a cage, enclosure, or pen made of wooden bars for confining animals.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我家的门槛很高。

Wǒ jiā de ménkǎn hěn gāo.

The threshold of my house is very high.

小心不要被门槛绊倒。

Xiǎoxīn bùyào bèi ménkǎn bàndǎo.

Be careful not to trip over the threshold.

他站在门槛上，望着远方。

Tā zhàn zài ménkǎn shàng, wàng zhe yuǎnfāng.

He stood on the threshold, gazing into the distance.

动物园的兽槛很坚固。

Dòngwùyuán de shòujiàn hěn jiāngù.

The animal cages at the zoo are very sturdy.

桥边的石槛雕刻着花纹。

Qiáo biān de shíjiàn diāokè zhe huāwén.

The stone balustrade by the bridge is carved with patterns.

古代的槛车用于运输囚犯。

Gǔdài de jiànchē yòng yú yùnshū qiúfàn.

In ancient times, prison carts were used to transport prisoners.

通过这个考试是我人生的一个门槛。

Tōngguò zhège kǎoshì shì wǒ rénshēng de yīgè ménkǎn.

Passing this exam is a threshold in my life.

博物馆展出了古代用于关押猛兽的木槛。

Bówùguǎn zhǎnchūle gǔdài yòng yú guānyā měngshòu de mùjiàn.

The museum displayed the wooden cages used to imprison fierce beasts in ancient times.

Related Characters

Component: 木

Component: 监

槛