HSK 3, q, 7 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1590, Medium
层
céng
stratum
HSK 3, q, 7 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1590, Medium
层
céng
laminated
HSK 3, q, 7 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1590, Medium
层
céng
floor (of a building)
HSK 3, q, 7 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1590, Medium
层
céng
storey
HSK 3, q, 7 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1590, Medium
层
céng
classifier for layers
HSK 3, q, 7 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1590, Medium
层
céng
repeated
HSK 3, q, 7 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1590, Medium
层
céng
sheaf (math.)
HSK 3, q, 7 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1590, Medium
层
céng
layer, floor, story, stratum
HSK 3, q, 7 strokes, radical 尸, rank #1590, Medium
céng(ceng2) T2
1layer
2stratum
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
层(層)céng(ceng2)
The character 层 (céng) primarily means 'layer' or 'floor' in the context of buildings. It can refer to different levels within a structure, such as the first floor or second floor, and is also used in discussions about layers in various contexts, including geology or materials science.
Strokes7Radical尸Frequency#1590DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese architecture, the concept of layers is significant, with many traditional buildings featuring multiple stories, each with distinct architectural styles and purposes, reflecting the cultural emphasis on hierarchy and structure.
Memory Tip
Imagine a multi-layered cake, where each layer represents a 'céng'. The character 层 has a 'roof' (the top horizontal line) and a 'foundation' (the bottom part), symbolizing how layers stack on top of one another, just like floors in a building.
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 层
Quick Contrast
层 (céng) vs 阶 (jiē) — use 层 for levels in buildings, while 阶 is often used for steps or stages.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 层 with other similar-sounding words. It is used in both formal and informal settings, but in official documents, more precise terms may be preferred. Common collocations include '第一层' (first floor) and '多层' (multi-layer).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 层 connects to other words related to buildings and structures, such as 楼 (lóu) for 'building' or 'floor'. Students should focus on practicing its use in spatial contexts and with classifiers.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 层 with the word 楼 (lóu), using them interchangeably. For example, saying '这层有很多人' (This floor has many people) is correct, while '这楼有很多人' (This building has many people) may be less precise if referring specifically to a layer.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 层
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 层 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Simplified form of 層. Phonosemantic compound. 尸 represents the meaning and 曾 represents the sound.
1The giveawaySimplified form of 層; 曾 provides the pronunciation
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 层? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 层?
Decomposition of 层
IDS Structure⿸尸云
层Full Character
=
尸shi1
enclosing
云yun2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 层?
How to say layer in Chinese
“layer” in Chinese is层céng
The character 层 (céng) primarily means 'layer' or 'floor' in the context of buildings. It can refer to different levels within a structure, such as the first floor or second floor, and is also used in discussions about layers in various contexts, including geology or materials science.
When to use 层
Be cautious not to confuse 层 with other similar-sounding words. It is used in both formal and informal settings, but in official documents, more precise terms may be preferred. Common collocations include '第一层' (first floor) and '多层' (multi-layer).
层 or something close to it
层 (céng) vs 阶 (jiē) — use 层 for levels in buildings, while 阶 is often used for steps or stages.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 层 with the word 楼 (lóu), using them interchangeably. For example, saying '这层有很多人' (This floor has many people) is correct, while '这楼有很多人' (This building has many people) may be less precise if referring specifically to a layer.
Write 层
层
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 层 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 层
层 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
层 (céng) specifically refers to layers or floors, while 楼 (lóu) refers to the building itself. For example, you might say '第二层' (second floor) for 层, but use '这座楼' (this building) when referring to 楼. Understanding the distinction helps in describing architectural features accurately.
层 (céng) means 'layer' or 'floor' in Chinese. It can refer to levels within a building, such as the first floor or second floor, as well as different layers of materials or concepts. This character is commonly used in both everyday language and more technical contexts.
You can use 层 (céng) to describe the floors of a building or layers of something. For example, '这座楼有五层' means 'This building has five floors.' You can also say '这个蛋糕有三层' which means 'This cake has three layers.'
You can say '这栋楼有五层' (This building has five floors).
No, 层 can also refer to metaphorical layers, such as layers of meaning in a discussion.
层 refers specifically to layers or floors, while 楼 refers more broadly to buildings or structures.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 层?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
