Meaning and Usage
The character 筒 (tǒng) primarily refers to a tube, pipe, or any cylindrical container. It often describes objects shaped like a hollow cylinder that can hold or contain something, such as a pen holder (笔筒) or a water container (铁筒).
Common Collocations
- 笔筒 (bǐtǒng): pen holder, a common desk item.
- 烟筒 (yāntǒng): chimney or smokestack, used in contexts related to smoke or fire.
- 铁筒 (tiětǒng): iron cylinder or container.
Usage Notes
筒 is a noun and usually appears after a descriptive word indicating the material or function of the tube. It is not used as a verb or particle. When used in compounds, it often specifies the shape and function of the object.
Common Confusions
Do not confuse 筒 with 桶 (tǒng), which also means bucket or barrel but usually refers to larger containers for liquids. 筒 emphasizes the tube-like shape rather than volume capacity.