宫殿
gōngdiàn · HSK 7
palace
🏰 宫殿 = palace building + grand hall
宫 (gōng) means palace or imperial residence; 殿 (diàn) means grand hall or temple hall. Together they form the word for a royal palace complex, combining the ruler's home with the formal ceremonial hall.
宫 — roof 宀 + two mouths 吕 (linked rooms)
Originally a pictograph of a building with multiple connected rooms under a roof, showing 宀 (roof) above 吕 (depicting joined chambers). It first meant any large dwelling, then narrowed over time to specifically mean a palace or temple. The reading gōng has stayed stable since early Chinese.