HSK 3, q, 7 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1590, Medium
层
céng
stratum
HSK 3, q, 7 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1590, Medium
层
céng
laminated
HSK 3, q, 7 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1590, Medium
层
céng
floor (of a building)
HSK 3, q, 7 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1590, Medium
层
céng
storey
HSK 3, q, 7 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1590, Medium
层
céng
classifier for layers
HSK 3, q, 7 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1590, Medium
层
céng
repeated
HSK 3, q, 7 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1590, Medium
层
céng
sheaf (math.)
HSK 3, q, 7 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1590, Medium
层
céng
layer, floor, story, stratum
HSK 3, q, 7 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1590, Medium
céng(ceng2) T2
1layer
2stratum
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March 24, 2026
层(層)céng(ceng2)
The character 层 (céng) primarily means 'layer' or 'floor' in the context of buildings. It can refer to different levels within a structure, such as the first floor or second floor, and is also used in discussions about layers in various contexts, including geology or materials science.
Strokes7Radical尸Frequency#1590DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese architecture, the concept of layers is significant, with many traditional buildings featuring multiple stories, each with distinct architectural styles and purposes, reflecting the cultural emphasis on hierarchy and structure.
Memory Tip
Imagine a multi-layered cake, where each layer represents a 'céng'. The character 层 has a 'roof' (the top horizontal line) and a 'foundation' (the bottom part), symbolizing how layers stack on top of one another, just like floors in a building.
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AI Study Notes for 层
Quick Contrast
层 (céng) vs 阶 (jiē) — use 层 for levels in buildings, while 阶 is often used for steps or stages.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a multi-layered cake, where each layer represents a 'céng'. The character 层 has a 'roof' (the top horizontal line) and a 'foundation' (the bottom part), symbolizing how layers stack on top of one another, just like floors in a building.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 层 with other similar-sounding words. It is used in both formal and informal settings, but in official documents, more precise terms may be preferred. Common collocations include '第一层' (first floor) and '多层' (multi-layer).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 层 connects to other words related to buildings and structures, such as 楼 (lóu) for 'building' or 'floor'. Students should focus on practicing its use in spatial contexts and with classifiers.
Cultural Note
In Chinese architecture, the concept of layers is significant, with many traditional buildings featuring multiple stories, each with distinct architectural styles and purposes, reflecting the cultural emphasis on hierarchy and structure.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 层 with the word 楼 (lóu), using them interchangeably. For example, saying '这层有很多人' (This floor has many people) is correct, while '这楼有很多人' (This building has many people) may be less precise if referring specifically to a layer.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 层
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Grammar Patterns of 层
层 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
In Chinese architecture, the concept of layers is significant, with many traditional buildings featuring multiple stories, each with distinct architectural styles and purposes, reflecting the cultural emphasis on hierarchy and structure.
Word Family of 层
Words Containing This Character20
层cénglayer層
高层gāocénghigh level高層
层次céngcìlayer層次
基层jīcéngbasic level基層
层面céngmiànaspect層面
阶层jiēcénghierarchy階層
上层upper layer上層
楼层story樓層
底层dǐcéngground or first floor底層
层层layer upon layer層層
断层fault (geology)斷層
深层deep深層
顶层top floor頂層
双层double tier雙層
大气层atmosphere大氣層
下层underlayer下層
云层the clouds雲層
表层surface layer表層
中层middle-ranking中層
层出不穷céngchūbùqióngmore and more emerge層出不窮
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 层 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 层
层 (céng) specifically refers to layers or floors, while 楼 (lóu) refers to the building itself. For example, you might say '第二层' (second floor) for 层, but use '这座楼' (this building) when referring to 楼. Understanding the distinction helps in describing architectural features accurately.
层 (céng) means 'layer' or 'floor' in Chinese. It can refer to levels within a building, such as the first floor or second floor, as well as different layers of materials or concepts. This character is commonly used in both everyday language and more technical contexts.
You can use 层 (céng) to describe the floors of a building or layers of something. For example, '这座楼有五层' means 'This building has five floors.' You can also say '这个蛋糕有三层' which means 'This cake has three layers.'
You can say '这栋楼有五层' (This building has five floors).
No, 层 can also refer to metaphorical layers, such as layers of meaning in a discussion.
层 refers specifically to layers or floors, while 楼 refers more broadly to buildings or structures.
