ridge · building

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 棟 has 12 strokes and appears in words for roof ridges and buildings.
• Basic usage: 病棟（びょうとう） means a hospital ward; 棟梁（とうりょう） means a master carpenter or leader.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A building and the person leading the work
  • 病棟の廊下 is a hospital ward corridor.
  • In 新しい病棟には広い面会室が設けられた, a spacious visiting room was provided in the new ward.
  • In 棟梁が柱の傾きを厳しく確認した, the master carpenter rigorously checked the columns' tilt.
  • 棟梁の合図で means at that leader's signal.