Chinese Conversation · Level 51
90 words
Chinese word
底层
Pronunciation
Pinyindǐ céng
Meaning
- nounlower class
Example
他来自社会的底层，很努力工作。tā lái zì shè huì de dǐ céng hěn nǔ lì gōng zuò
He comes from the lower class of society and works very hard.
More examples
底层人民的声音往往被忽视。dǐ céng rén mín de shēng yīn wáng wǎng bèi hū shì
The voices of lower-class people are often ignored.
Core concept
The lowest part of a larger system, viewed as a layer separated from those above it by unequal position and resources.
Common phrases
社会底层shè huì dǐ céng
lower class of society
底层人民dǐ céng rén mín
lower-class people
底层生活dǐ céng shēng huó
lower-class life
Similar words
下层xià céng: A lower-ranking layer of society or a group, often linked with poorer living conditions.
阶层jiē céng: One social layer among others, distinguished by status, income, or position.
基层jī céng: The level closest to everyday work and public service within an organization or administration.
弱势群体ruò shì qún tǐ: People placed at an economic or social disadvantage who may need extra support.
Definition in Chinese
指社会、经济或组织中处于最低位置、资源和权力最少的层次，也可用于描述物体或建筑的最下层。zhǐ shè huì jīng jì huò zǔ zhī zhōng chǔ yú zuì dī wèi zhì zī yuán hé quán lì zuì shǎo de céng cì yě kě yòng yú miáo shù wù tǐ huò jiàn zhù de zuì xià céng
Word origin
The compound 底 (dǐ, "bottom") and 层 (céng, "layer") extends the physical idea of a bottom layer to social and organizational structures.
Usage tips
- In everyday Chinese, this word often describes a group within a system rather than labeling one person, so the surrounding noun phrase usually makes the meaning clearer and less judgmental.
Other meanings
- lower levelnoun
- bottom layernoun
Opposites
- 上层shàng céngupper classnoun
- 中层zhōng céngmiddle classnoun
Related words
- 底层社会dǐ céng shè huìlower-class societynoun
- 底层人民dǐ céng rén mínlower-class peoplenoun