碉 (diāo) - blockhouse & watchtower

碉Tone 1

diāo ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

碉 · diāo

blockhouse;

watchtower;

pillbox;

a fortified structure, often made of stone, used for defense or observation.

blockhousewatchtowerpillbox

Usage highlights

watchtowerpillboxstone blockhousefortress towerbunkerdefensive tower

Synonyms

  • 堡— fort; fortress
  • 楼— tower; building

Antonyms

  • 穴— cave; den (natural vs. man-made structure)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The ancient watchtower (碉楼) stood guard over the valley.
  • Soldiers took cover in the concrete pillbox (碉堡).
  • They built a stone blockhouse (石碉) on the hill.
  • The fortress was protected by multiple watchtowers (碉楼).

Collocations

  • watchtower(碉楼)
  • pillbox(碉堡)
  • stone blockhouse(石碉)
  • fortress tower(碉垒)
  • bunker(地碉)
  • defensive tower(防御碉)

Idioms

  • Strong as an iron fortress(固若金碉)
  • Towering and majestic(碉然屹立)
  • Impregnable fortress(坚如碉堡)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used in Tibetan and Qiang architecture as defensive stone towers.
  • Common in military contexts referring to fortified positions and bunkers.
  • Represents strength, defense, and strategic positioning in Chinese culture.

FAQ