栋梁 dòngliáng ridgepole
ridgepole; ridgepole and beams; person able to bear heavy responsibility; mainstay (of organization); pillar (of state)
How to remember 栋梁: 栋 measure word for buildings + 梁 bridge = ridgepole.
Characters
How it is used
- 'Pillar and beam' - figuratively 'mainstay, pillar of society' - 国家栋梁 (guójiā dòngliáng) pillars of the nation.
- 栋梁之才 (dòngliáng zhī cái) a person capable of great responsibility.
- Almost always figurative praise for indispensable talent; 栋 is a measure word for buildings too.