檻 (kǎn) - Threshold & railing

檻Tone 3

kǎn ｜ 18 strokes ｜ radical:

俊梁

檻 · kǎn

Threshold;

railing;

bar;

cage;

also refers to a critical point or limit.

Thresholdrailingbar

Usage highlights

ThresholdCageRailingShip's railingCritical pointPrison cart

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 自由— freedom (antonym to the cage sense)
  • 无限— limitless (antonym to the limit sense)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He stepped over the threshold (门槛).
  • The lion is in the cage (兽槛).
  • The ship's railing (船槛) was painted white.
  • This is a critical juncture (槛) in the negotiations.

Collocations

  • Threshold(门槛)
  • Cage(兽槛)
  • Railing(栏杆/槛)
  • Ship's railing(船槛)
  • Critical point(关槛)
  • Prison cart(槛车)

Idioms

  • No one is allowed to step over the threshold(门槛不准踏)
  • The lion in the cage(槛中狮)
  • To cross the threshold(跨过门槛)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese architecture, the threshold (门槛) was a significant feature, symbolizing a boundary between inside and outside, and was often associated with customs and superstitions about stepping over it.
  • The character also carries a metaphorical meaning of a limit or critical point, used in both literal (cage, railing) and abstract contexts.
  • Historically used in terms like 槛车 for prison carts, indicating confinement.

FAQ