奠 diàn to found
to found; to settle
How to remember 奠: 酋 matured wine + 大 big = to found. The mayor pours a glass of matured wine over a big stone, the first one laid in the town the pioneers came to found.
Component breakdown
奠 = 酋 matured wine + 大 big
- 酋 matured wine
- 大 big
The mayor pours a glass of matured wine over a big stone, the first one laid in the town the pioneers came to found.
How it is used
- Two senses: to establish firmly - 奠定 (diàndìng) to lay (a foundation): 奠定基础 (diàndìng jīchǔ); and to make offerings to the dead - 祭奠 (jìdiàn).
- 奠基 (diànjī) = to lay a cornerstone. A funeral wreath bears the single character 奠.