lou4

Jyutpinglou4
Yalelòuh

Definition

The capital of a column, a supporting block in traditional architecture, or a sumac tree.

  1. technicalthe capital or supporting block of a column
  2. sumac (tree)
neutralother

How it's used

Refers specifically to the architectural block placed between the top of a column and the beam it supports. It is a technical term primarily used in traditional Chinese architecture or carpentry contexts. Outside of these specialized fields, it is rarely encountered in daily conversation.

Measure word

go3go

Examples

The capital on top of this pillar is carved beautifully.
Do you know what kind of wood this supporting block is made of?

Related words

Common phrases

wooden capital
stone capital

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the common word 爐, which refers to a stove or furnace. The pronunciation and meaning are entirely different despite the visual similarity in some fonts.

Grammar color guide

Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector