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夹层 (jiā céng) — false bottom; double layer (in a container); secret compartment; hidden storage space; mezzanine (architecture)

Definition

夹层 (jiācéng) means a 'hidden layer between two surfaces' — a false bottom in a trunk, a secret compartment in furniture, or an architectural mezzanine (a low floor built between two main floors).

noun
false bottomdouble layer (in a container)secret compartmenthidden storage spacemezzanine (architecture)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 夹层，。
    Zhè ge xíng li xiāng yǒu yí gè jiā céng, kě yǐ cáng guì zhòng wù pǐn.
    This suitcase has a false bottom, where you can hide valuables.
  • 夹层。
    Tā zài xié diàn xià shè jì le yí gè jiā céng yòng lái fàng qián.
    He designed a secret compartment under the insole to put money in.
  • 夹层，。
    Nà dòng lǎo fáng zi de èr lóu yǒu yí gè jiā céng, xiàn zài shì bàn gōng shì.
    That old house has a mezzanine on the second floor, which is now an office.

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.

夹jiáinserted or double-layered
层cénglayer

The “夹” (inserted or double-layered) quality specifies the “层” (layer), giving a hidden compartment.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 夾; 夹 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 夾 draws a person with two people beside or under the arms, giving the idea of holding or sandwiching between sides.

Open 夹 →

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
Buildings & Structures

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