Definition
天井 (tiān jǐng) literally means 'heavenly well' and refers to a small open courtyard in traditional Chinese architecture, often designed to let in light and air. In modern buildings, it can also mean a skylight. In mining, it is a technical term for a vertical shaft or raise. The correct sense depends on context.
n.
small courtyard or atrium (in traditional Chinese architecture)skylight (opening in a roof)(mining) vertical shaftraise
Examples
- 天井，。Zhège lǎo fángzi de tiān jǐng bú dà, dàn hěn ānjìng.The small courtyard of this old house is not big but very quiet.
- 天井，。Yángguāng cóng tiān jǐng zhào jìnlái, wūzi lǐ hěn liàng.Sunlight comes in through the skylight, making the room bright.
- 天井。Kuànggōngmen tōngguò tiān jǐng xià dào dìxià de gōngzuò qū.The miners go down to the underground working area through the shaft.
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