Chinese Character: 梁
1. Character Basics
Radical: 木 (mù, wood radical)
Stroke Count: 11
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: liáng (Second tone)
3. Meaning
Bridge; beam; rafter; girder; crossbeam; a surname
4. Common Words
- 桥梁 (qiáoliáng) - bridge
- 房梁 (fángliáng) - roof beam; rafter
- 栋梁 (dòngliáng) - ridgepole and beam; mainstay
- 横梁 (héngliáng) - crossbeam; traverse
- 梁山 (Liángshān) - Liangshan Mountain; name of a place
- 梁启超 (Liáng Qǐchāo) - Liang Qichao, a famous Chinese scholar and reformer
- 梁柱 (liángzhù) - beam and column
- 钢梁 (gāngliáng) - steel beam
5. Grammar & Usage
"梁" is a noun that primarily refers to a beam, bridge, or rafter.
Grammar Patterns:
- 名词 + 梁: 房梁 (roof beam), 桥梁 (bridge)
- 梁 + 名词: 梁山 (Liangshan Mountain), 梁祝 (Butterfly Lovers)
- 作为姓氏: 梁启超 (Liang Qichao), 梁思成 (Liang Sicheng)
- 动词 + 梁: 架梁 (erect a beam), 修梁 (repair a beam)
6. Cultural Background
The character "梁" has significant cultural meaning in Chinese architecture and history.
In traditional Chinese architecture, beams (梁) are essential structural elements that support the roof and symbolize strength and stability. The quality of beams was considered crucial for the durability of a building.
The character is also associated with important historical and cultural references. For example, "梁山泊" (Liángshān Pō) is the legendary home of the 108 heroes in the classic Chinese novel "Water Margin" (水浒传).
Additionally, "梁" is a common Chinese surname, with many notable figures throughout history bearing this name, such as the scholar Liang Qichao and the architect Liang Sicheng.
7. Example Sentence
中文: 这座古老的桥梁已经有几百年的历史了。
Pinyin: Zhè zuò gǔlǎo de qiáoliáng yǐjīng yǒu jǐ bǎinián de lìshǐ le.
English: This ancient bridge has a history of several hundred years.
8. Memory Tips
The character "梁" (liáng) consists of the radical "木" (wood radical) and the character "氵" (water radical) with "刃" (knife edge) inside.
To remember this character, think of it as "wooden structure over water," which relates to its meaning of a bridge or beam.
Practice writing the character following the stroke order to help with memorization.
Associate the character with common words like "桥梁" (bridge) and "房梁" (roof beam) to reinforce its meaning.
Listen to and practice the pronunciation "liáng" to become familiar with its sound.