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Kotomora

柱

pillar, post, cylinder, support

JLPTN2StatusJōyō · grade 3FrequencyTop 2,000Strokes9

Readings

On'yomi

  • チュウ

Kun'yomi

  • はしら

Meaning

柱 centers on a vertical structural element that holds something up: a pillar, post, or column. The cylinder sense comes from the typical shape of such supports.

Most common words using 柱

20 of 124
  • 柱はしら
    N1

    pillar; post

  • 電柱でんちゅう
    N2

    utility pole; power pole; telephone pole; telegraph pole

  • 支柱しちゅう

    prop; stay; support; brace; fulcrum

  • 人柱ひとばしら

    person who died for a cause

  • 脊柱せきちゅう

    spinal column; vertebral column; spine

  • 円柱えんちゅう

    column; shaft; cylinder

  • 大黒柱だいこくばしら

    central pillar (of a building)

  • 氷柱つらら

    icicle

  • 電信柱でんしんばしら

    telephone pole

  • 貝柱かいばしら

    adductor muscle

  • 石柱せきちゅう

    stone pillar

  • 角柱かくちゅう

    prism

  • 柱状ちゅうじょう

    shape of a pillar or column

  • 門柱もんちゅう

    gatepost; pier

  • 茶柱ちゃばしら

    upright-floating tea stalk (considered a lucky omen)

  • 鉄柱てっちゅう

    iron pole

  • 火柱ひばしら

    pillar of fire; blazing column

  • 三角柱さんかくちゅう

    triangular prism

  • 柱時計はしらどけい

    wall clock; grandfather clock

  • 帆柱ほばしら

    mast

Explore all words using 柱 →

Study

Etymology

柱 combines 木 (tree, wood) with 主, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of a main upright support. The character originally referred to a wooden pillar.

Meaning mnemonic

A wooden 木 main 主 support: picture a thick wooden pillar holding up the main beam of a building.

Reading mnemonic

For チュウ, imagine a pillar in the middle of a room that you choose to lean against: choose -> チュウ, and the pillar supports you.