阇 (dū) - City gate tower & watchtower

阇Tone 1

dū ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

丁恩

阇 · dū

City gate tower;

watchtower;

also used in Buddhist terminology for transliteration of Sanskrit sounds.

City gate towerwatchtoweralso used in Buddhist terminology for transliteration of

Usage highlights

City gate towerBuddhist masterGate tower platformRampart gateBuddhist preceptor

Synonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The city gate tower (阇) was heavily guarded.
  • In Buddhist texts, it appears in transliterations (阿阇黎, Āshé lí).
  • The ancient city had a massive gate tower (城阇).

Collocations

  • City gate tower(城阇)
  • Buddhist master(阿阇黎)
  • Gate tower platform(阇台)
  • Rampart gate(闉阇)
  • Buddhist preceptor(阇梨)

Idioms

  • The city gate and its tower(城阙阇)
  • Buddhist master's guidance(阿阇黎教)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to the main gate tower of a city wall in ancient Chinese architecture.
  • Adopted in Buddhist scriptures to transliterate Sanskrit 'ācārya' (master/teacher).
  • Appears in classical Chinese texts describing fortified cities and their defenses.

FAQ