皇宫
huáng gōng · HSK 7
palace
🏯👑 皇 huáng = emperor/imperial + 宫 gōng = palace; the emperor's palace
宫 gōng (palace) sounds like the gong struck at court. 皇 huáng pairs the 白 (white) top over 王 (king) below — the radiant ruler. Together: the imperial palace.
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.