榦 (gàn) - Main body or trunk of a tree & stem

榦Tone 4

gàn ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

榦 · gàn

Main body or trunk of a tree;

stem;

core;

foundation;

also refers to a riverbank or embankment.

Main body or trunk of a treestemcore

Usage highlights

Tree trunkBackbone personnelMain partRiver embankmentFoundationStem and branches

Synonyms

  • 干— trunk; main part; to do (common simplified form)
  • 杆— pole; rod (similar meaning of a long, central object)
  • 茎— stem (of a plant)

Antonyms

  • 枝— branch (opposite of trunk/main part)
  • 末— tip; end; minor detail (opposite of core/foundation)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The trunk of the ancient tree was massive (古树的榦).
  • He is the backbone of the organization (他是组织的骨干).
  • They reinforced the river embankment (他们加固了河榦).
  • This forms the core argument (这是论证的基榦).

Collocations

  • Tree trunk(树榦)
  • Backbone personnel(骨干)
  • Main part(主榦)
  • River embankment(河榦)
  • Foundation(基榦)
  • Stem and branches(枝榦)

Idioms

  • Strong branches and firm trunk(强枝固榦)
  • The root is deep and the trunk is solid(根深榦固)
  • To strengthen the trunk and weaken the branches(强榦弱枝)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese thought, the 'trunk' (榦) represents the central, supporting element, much like the core of a family or state.
  • Used metaphorically in organizations to refer to key, indispensable personnel (骨干).
  • Appears in classical texts discussing governance, where strengthening the central authority (强榦) was a common theme.

FAQ