栋梁

dòng liáng

CL 根 gēn

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Noun Rare

Definitions

1. ridgepole
2. ridgepole and beams
3. person able to bear heavy responsibility
4. mainstay (of organization)
5. pillar (of state)

Word relationships

Related words

2 items

• 柱石 zhù shí 柱石 zhù shí pillar 支柱和基石，比喻担负重任的人: pillar
• 中流砥柱 zhōng liú dǐ zhù 中流砥柱 zhōng liú dǐ zhù mainstay 比喻坚强独立的人能在动荡艰难的环境中起支柱作用: mainstay

Synonyms

1 item

• 脊梁 jǐ liáng 脊梁 jǐ liáng backbone 比喻肩负重任的人: backbone

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Do not use 栋梁 for physical pillars or posts; it only refers metaphorically to a key person. Use 柱子 for a literal pillar.

Formality

栋梁 is a formal, literary term typically used in writing or speeches to describe someone as the pillar of an organization or state.

Example Sentences

1 shown

他是国家的 栋梁 。

He is a pillar of the state.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 栋梁

• 栋 栋 dòng: classifier for houses or buildings
• 梁 梁 liáng: roof beam