Meaning and Usage
The word "棟" (とう) primarily refers to a building wing or block, and also to the ridge of a roof. It is commonly used in architectural contexts to describe parts of a building complex or the highest horizontal line of a roof.
Common Contexts
- When talking about large buildings or complexes, "棟" is used to indicate separate wings or sections.
- In roofing, "棟" refers to the ridge line where two roof slopes meet.
Collocations and Patterns
- "三つの棟" (みっつのとう): three wings/blocks of a building.
- "屋根の棟" (やねのとう): the ridge of the roof.
- "新しい棟が完成する": a new building wing is completed.
Usage Notes
"棟" is a formal term often used in architectural or construction contexts. It is not commonly used in casual conversation unless discussing buildings or roofs specifically. Learners sometimes confuse "棟" with "棟梁" (とうりょう, master carpenter) or "棟木" (むなぎ, ridge beam), so pay attention to context.
When using "棟" to mean building wing, it often appears with counters like "棟" itself or numbers indicating how many wings or blocks there are.