宫殿 — meaning in English: palace

gōngdiàn · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for palace

目标

mùbiāo

宫殿

gōngdiàn

码头

mǎtóu

关闭

guānbì

区别

qūbié

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers use the word 宫殿 (gōngdiàn) when discussing historical sites or royal architecture, often in contexts related to Chinese history, tourism, or literature. For instance, one might say, 'The Forbidden City is a stunning 宫殿 in Beijing that showcases ancient imperial design.'

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym for 宫殿 is 王宫 (wánggōng), meaning 'royal palace,' which emphasizes the royal aspect more specifically. While 宫殿 is often used in a broader sense to refer to any grand palace, 王宫 tends to be reserved for palaces that are explicitly linked to royalty.

Culture

The word 宫殿 combines 宫 (gōng), meaning 'palace' or 'temple,' with 殿 (diàn), which means 'hall.' This reflects the importance of royal structures in Chinese culture, where palaces not only served as residences but also as centers of power and governance. Interestingly, the Forbidden City in Beijing, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the largest and best-preserved palatial complexes in the world.

FAQ

Q.What is the pronunciation of 宫殿?

The pronunciation of 宫殿 is gōngdiàn, where the first syllable is pronounced with a high level tone, and the second syllable has a falling tone.

Q.How do you use 宫殿 in a sentence?

You can use 宫殿 in a sentence like this: 'I visited the 夏宫 (Summer Palace), which is another famous 宫殿 near Beijing.'

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 宫殿?

A common mistake is confusing 宫殿 with other types of buildings, such as 居住 (jūzhù, meaning residence) or 建筑 (jiànzhù, meaning architecture). 宫殿 specifically refers to palatial structures with historical or royal significance.

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