dai2 cang4底層底层
Jyutpingdai2 cang4
Yaledái chàhng
Definition
The bottom floor or ground floor of a building.
neutralplaceshome
How it's used
Refers specifically to the floor at street level, which is distinct from the first floor in many Western contexts. In Hong Kong residential buildings, this is often referred to as the G/F or 地下. Using the term implies a focus on the structural position of the floor rather than the numbering system used by property management.
Measure word
cang4層chànghExamples
He lives on the ground floor of the building, so it's very convenient to get in and out.
Related words
Common phrases
ground floor of the building
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 地下, which is the standard term for the ground floor in Hong Kong addresses and building signage. While 底層 is understood as the bottom layer, it is less common in everyday navigation than simply saying 地下.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
