Definition
层 (céng) is a classifier for physical layers like floors of a building or layers of a cake, and also for abstract layers (of meaning, emotion). It differs from the noun 楼 (lóu), which refers to the building itself or a specific floor number (e.g., 三楼 'third floor'). For hierarchical levels, use the noun 层次 (céng cì) instead.
classifier
for floorsstorieslayersfor abstract layers (of meaning, emotion, etc.)
Easily confused
- 会huìlook-alikecan, be able to (know how to); be likely to, will
- 曾céngsound-alikeonce; ever (indicating a past experience)
- 运yùnlook-aliketo transport, to ship
- 蹭cèngsound-aliketo rub against, to brush against
- 坛tánlook-alike(noun) platform, rostrum, podium
- 动dònglook-aliketo move; to change position
Examples
- 层。Zhè dòng lóu yǒu èrshí céng.This building has twenty floors.
- 层。Tā shuō de huà hái yǒu lìng yì céng yìsi.What he said has another layer of meaning.
- 层。Zhège dàngāo yǒu sān céng nǎiyóu.This cake has three layers of cream.
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