Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
棟 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
棟dòngridge-beam; the main support of a housex, 12 strokes, radical 木
dòng(dong4)dong T4
  1. 1ridge-beam; the main support of a house
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

棟dòng(dong4)

The character 棟 (dòng) refers to the ridge-beam or main support structure within a house or building. It signifies a crucial architectural element, often symbolizing stability and support in both literal and metaphorical contexts. Commonly used in discussions of architecture, construction, and traditional Chinese houses.

Strokes12Radical木
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese architecture, the ridge-beam (棟) is an essential component, symbolizing prosperity and stability. The design of homes often reflects cultural values around family and security, with the ridge-beam serving as a representation of strength.

Memory Tip

Imagine a grand house where the ridge-beam (棟) is represented by the roof (木, wood) on top of a sturdy building (土, earth). The 'dòng' sounds like 'dong' which you might remember as the booming sound of a hammer driving that important beam into place.

Meanings of 棟

dòng(dong4)
1ridge-beam; the main support of a house
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 棟 means.

About 棟

棟Simplified
12Strokes
木Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 棟

JasonAmy

Podcast: 棟

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 棟

Usage Notes

When using 棟 in conversation, be cautious about its context; it is typically more formal and specific to architecture. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar characters like 房 (fáng), which means house or room. Remember, 棟 specifically refers to structural supports.

HSK Study Tips

Although 棟 is not at a specific HSK level, it is useful for learners at HSK 4 and above who are studying architecture or real estate vocabulary. Focus on its usage in context, especially in phrases related to building and construction.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 棟 with similar characters. For instance, saying '我住在棟里' (I live in the ridge-beam) instead of '我住在房里' (I live in the house) illustrates this mistake. Always remember that 棟 refers to the structural element, not a living space.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 棟

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 棟 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 棟 to You

Let me explain 棟 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 棟 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 棟?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 棟 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 棟

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

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

Memory Hint

wood

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)東
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

棟 = 木 + 東. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 棟

IDS Structure⿰木東
棟Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
東dong1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 棟?

How to say ridge-beam; the main support of a house in Chinese

“ridge-beam; the main support of a house” in Chinese is棟dòng

The character 棟 (dòng) refers to the ridge-beam or main support structure within a house or building. It signifies a crucial architectural element, often symbolizing stability and support in both literal and metaphorical contexts. Commonly used in discussions of architecture, construction, and traditional Chinese houses.

When to use 棟

When using 棟 in conversation, be cautious about its context; it is typically more formal and specific to architecture. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar characters like 房 (fáng), which means house or room. Remember, 棟 specifically refers to structural supports.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 棟 with similar characters. For instance, saying '我住在棟里' (I live in the ridge-beam) instead of '我住在房里' (I live in the house) illustrates this mistake. Always remember that 棟 refers to the structural element, not a living space.

Write 棟

棟

Practice writing 棟 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 棟?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Word Family of 棟

Words Containing This Character5
栋dòngridgepole (old)棟
栋梁dòngliángridgepole棟梁
雕梁画栋richly ornamented (building)雕梁畫棟
吴作栋Goh Chok Tong (1941-), Singapore businessman and politician, prime minister 1990-2004吳作棟
汗牛充栋lit. enough books to make a pack-ox sweat or to fill a house to the rafters (idiom); fig. many books汗牛充棟
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 棟

What does 栋 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 棟

棟 refers specifically to the ridge-beam or structural support of a house, while 房 means house or room in general.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 棟?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab