柱ちゅう

noun, noun, used as a suffix

bridge (of a koto, etc.)

Refers to the movable bridge of a koto or similar stringed instrument; also used as a suffix in compound terms like 琴柱 (ことじ).

• 琴ことの柱じを動うごかして調ちょう弦げんする。

  I tune the koto by moving its bridges.

• この柱じは象ぞう牙げでできている。

  This bridge is made of ivory.

noun, noun, used as a suffix

cylinder; prism

Only with reading ちゅう

Used in geometry and technical contexts; reading is always ちゅう. Often appears as a suffix in words like 円柱 (cylinder) and 角柱 (prism).

• 円えん柱ちゅうの体たい積せきを計けい算さんする。

  Calculate the volume of the cylinder.

• 三さん角かく柱ちゅうは五いつつの面めんを持もつ。

  A triangular prism has five faces.