大黒柱 (daikokubashira) Japanese meaning: central pillar | KotomoraThe central pillar of the old farmhouse was thick and impressive.
Usage patterns
一家の大黒柱the breadwinner/mainstay of a family
My father works as the breadwinner of the family.
大黒柱を立てるto erect the central pillar (in traditional house construction)
They erect the central pillar before the roof-raising ceremony.
大黒柱になるto become the mainstay/backbone (of a family or organization)
My older brother became the mainstay of the family.
大黒柱が倒れるfor the main breadwinner to fall ill or die, leaving the family without support
With the breadwinner incapacitated, the family's life became difficult.
