beam · digit

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 桁 has 10 strokes and denotes a beam or a numerical place.
• Basic usage: 桁（けた） means a numerical place or beam; 橋桁（はしげた） means a bridge girder.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Numbers and structures
  • 合計金額の桁 refers to the places in the total amount.
  • In 屋根を支える太い桁, the word denotes a thick beam supporting a roof.
• Compound reading
  • In 橋桁, 桁 is read げた.
  • 橋桁にひびがないか asks whether the bridge girder has any cracks.