tin1 cyu5天柱
Jyutpingtin1 cyu5
Yaletīn chyúh
Definition
Pillars supporting heaven in mythology, or metaphorically a pillar of the state.
- mythological pillars supporting heaven
- figurativea pillar of the state; a person of great responsibility
writtennatureother
How it's used
This term is almost exclusively found in mythology, folklore, or poetic descriptions of nature. It is not used in modern architectural contexts to describe actual building columns, which are referred to as 柱. Using it to describe a real-life pillar will sound highly dramatic or archaic.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
Legend says there are four pillars supporting the sky.
Related words
Common phrases
a pillar that holds up the sky
Common mistake
Do not use this word to describe structural columns in a house or building, as it carries a heavy mythological weight that makes it sound bizarre in mundane settings.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
