TongTong
Sign in

表层 (biǎo céng) — surface layer; top layer

Definition

Literally 'surface layer' (表 outer/surface + 层 layer), used literally for physical surfaces or figuratively for shallow or apparent aspects of something. Often contrasts with 深层 or 本质 ('essence, deeper level').

noun
surface layertop layer
Measure word · 层

Examples

  • 表层。
    Zhè ge zhuō zi de biǎo céng hěn gān jìng.
    The surface layer of this table is very clean.
  • 表层。
    Zhè céng biǎo céng hěn báo.
    This surface layer is very thin.
  • 表层。
    Wǒ men xū yào bǎo hù biǎo céng.
    We need to protect the surface layer.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

表biǎosurface
层cénglayer

表 means surface, and 层 means layer, so the word names the top layer.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape 表 pairs 衣 (garment) with 毛 (hair or feather), originally an outer garment.

Open 表 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 層; 层 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
尸尸shī
Sound part声符shēngfú
曾
曾céng層céng
Same sound today

The traditional form 層 uses 尸 for the meaning and 曾 for the sound; the simplified 层 is a later abbreviation.

Open 层 →
Appears in
Abstract Concepts

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.