底层 (dǐ céng) — ground floor (of a building); bottom (of a pile or stack); lowest rung (of society)

Definition

底层 emphasizes the 'layer/stratum' sense — the lowest layer of a stack, building, or social structure. 底子 is more about the foundation/base supporting what's above; 基层 refers to the grassroots operating level of an organization.

noun
ground floor (of a building)bottom (of a pile or stack)lowest rung (of society)

Examples

  • 底层
    Zhè ge chāo shì de dǐ céng mài shū cài hé shuǐ guǒ.
    The ground floor of this supermarket sells vegetables and fruit.
  • 底层
    Xiāng zi de dǐ céng fàng zhe jǐ běn jiù shū.
    A few old books are placed at the bottom of the box.
  • 底层
    Xǔ duō yí mín dōu shēng huó zài shè huì de dǐ céng.
    Many immigrants live at the bottom of society.

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