金字塔

• Pinyin: jīn zì tǎ
• Hanzi breakdown: 金 = gold, metal; 字 = character, word; 塔 = 土 + 荅 — tower, pagoda

Meaning

Pyramid. A structure with triangular sides meeting at a point, especially the Egyptian pyramids.

Used both literally for ancient structures and metaphorically for hierarchical structures, such as 金字塔结构 (pyramid structure) or 金字塔顶端 (top of the pyramid). Common in business, social, and academic discussions about hierarchy.

Examples

1. 埃及的金字塔是人类建筑史上最令人惊叹的奇迹之一。 The pyramids of Egypt are one of the most amazing wonders in the history of human architecture.
2. 这个公司的管理层呈金字塔结构，权力高度集中在顶层。 This company's management has a pyramid structure, with power highly concentrated at the top.
3. 能站在这个行业金字塔顶端的人，背后都付出了常人难以想象的努力。 Those who can stand at the top of this industry's pyramid have all put in unimaginable effort behind the scenes.

Usage Guide

Context: history, architecture, business, sociology

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 金字塔是如何建造的至今仍是个谜。(How the pyramids were built remains a mystery.)
• 他位于公司金字塔的最顶端。(He is at the very top of the company pyramid.)

Don't Say

• 用'金字塔'指任何三角形建筑 (Don't use 金字塔 for any triangular building — it specifically refers to pyramids or hierarchical structures)

Origin & History

Composed of 金字 (the character 金 'gold', referring to the triangular shape) + 塔 (tower; pagoda). Named because its shape resembles the Chinese character 金.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal