棟梁

とうりょう

Meanings

1. Noun central figure; pillar (e.g. of the nation); mainstay; chief support; leader
2. chief; boss; leader; head
3. master carpenter
4. beams and ridge supports of a roof (orig. meaning)

Kanji

• 棟 building. Read as トウ.
• 梁 weir; fish trap; beam. Read as リョウ.

Example sentences

• 彼は将来国家の棟梁たるべき器だ。
  He has the capacity to be a future leader of the nation.
• 父は棟梁なんですよ。
  My father is a master builder.
• その棟梁は３人の弟子を従えている。
  The master carpenter is accompanied by three apprentices.

Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists