Definitions

sǎng plinth, stone base

Etymology phono-semantic

stone

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

is a phono-semantic compound that pairs the stone radical , signifying rock or mineral, with the phonetic . It refers to the stone plinth or foundation base placed under a wooden pillar in traditional Chinese architecture, serving to prevent rot and ensure structural stability. As a term for a concrete architectural component, its meaning does not change over time. The character is found primarily in architectural treatises, historical writings detailing building layouts, and regional vocabulary for timber-frame construction, rarely appearing in abstract or general contexts.