🇬🇧🇨🇳 crane - 起重机 : English Lesson

Meaning of "crane" ("起重机"), detailed definition, and a short video lesson below.

A crane is a very tall metal machine that looks a bit like a giant robot with a long arm. You usually see it on building sites. The crane’s long arm can move up, down, and sideways to pick up very heavy things, like big steel beams or piles of bricks, using a strong hook or cable. It helps builders move heavy objects high into the air or across the ground so they can build tall buildings, bridges, and other structures safely and quickly.

Watch and listen to this English flashcard to understand the word in more detail, with an easy example sentence.

The crane moved a giant box so easily that I began to suspect it secretly eats dumbbells for breakfast.

The crane picked up a container so smoothly that it looked like it was practicing ballet in slow motion.

The crane lifted a giant metal piece while I heroically lifted my water bottle and pretended we were working together.

The crane carefully lowered a big metal box, as if it were putting a baby elephant gently to bed.

The tallest tower crane in the world can be higher than 100 meters—taller than a 30‑story building—so it’s basically a skyscraper that lifts other skyscrapers.

A child watches as a tall crane lifts a piano from an old house. The crane swings slowly, the crane arm steady, while workers guide the piano with ropes. Wind tugs, and the crane dips, heart pounding. The piano lands safely on the truck; the child laughs, waving at the crane and the smiling crew.

This word is featured in some playlists to help boost your English vocabulary! Check out where “crane” (起重机) makes an appearance and dive into themed playlists that make learning fun. 👍

This word is at the C2 level, which means it represents the highest mastery of English. It’s often used in specialized or highly formal contexts and helps you communicate with precision and subtlety, much like a native speaker.

Expanding your English vocabulary is one of the best ways to improve your pronunciation, spelling, and confidence in English. Watch the video above to memorize the word, understand its meaning, and see example sentences in action. Discover related words to grow your vocabulary naturally. Add words to your playlist for stress-free, effective learning—anytime, anywhere! Watch, learn, repeat.