横梁 (héng liáng) — (architecture) crossbeam, cross member; horizon…

Definition

noun

(architecture) crossbeamcross memberhorizontal beam

Measure word · 根

横梁。
Zhè gēn héng liáng zhī chēng zhe zhěng gè wū dǐng.
This crossbeam supports the entire roof.
横梁。
Gōng rén men zhèng zài ān zhuāng xīn de héng liáng.
The workers are installing a new crossbeam.
横梁。
Zhè zuò qiáo de héng liáng yòng le zuì hǎo de gāng cái.
The bridge's crossbeams are made of the best steel.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

横hénghorizontal

横 means horizontal or cross and 梁 means beam, so the word names a horizontal structural beam.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 橫; 横 is its simplified writing.

木黃橫

Meaning part形符xíngfú

木木mùwood

Sound part声符shēngfú

黃

黃huáng橫héng

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 橫 has 木, meaning wood, beside 黃, which supplies the sound; the simplified 横 is a later abbreviation.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

木木mùwood

Sound part声符shēngfú

刅

刅chuāng梁Liáng

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

梁 pairs 水 (water) and 木 (wood) to show a bridge, with 刅 giving the sound.

Appears in