阁楼
gélóu
The Chinese word for "attic" is 阁楼 (gélóu).
阁楼 refers to the space directly below the roof of a building.
Meaning: space directly below the roof (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 阁楼 is composed of two parts: 阁 (gé), which means a pavilion or a room/cabinet and 楼 (lóu), which means a building or a floor.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express being "in" the attic, you often use the structure 在 (zài) + 阁楼 (gélóu) + 上 (shàng) to indicate the location.
How do you pronounce it?
gélóu
Did you know?
- While 阁楼 refers to a residential attic, the character 阁 is also used for the 'Grand Secretariat' 阁, the high-level administrative office of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
- If you are looking for a 'loft' in a modern studio apartment, you might see the word 复式 (fùshì), which literally means 'duplex' rather than using a word related to an attic.
- The character 阁 can also mean a 'cabinet' or 'cupboard', implying that an attic is essentially a giant cabinet for the entire house.
Examples in context
- 你在阁楼上做了什么？What were you doing in the attic?This sentence is useful for asking about an activity occurring in the attic.Tatoeba #5863304 by verdastelo9604, translation #3737657 by CK
- 阁楼上积了灰。Dust had accumulated in the attic.This sentence is useful for describing the condition of the attic.Tatoeba #793989 by fucongcong, translation #25568 by auxitt
- 汤姆孩子们在阁楼。Tom's kids were in the attic.This sentence is useful for stating the location of people in the attic.Tatoeba #6744814 by swolesuki, translation #5736271 by CM
- 这座建筑的阁楼非常宽敞The attic of this building is very spacious.
- 我家的顶楼可以当做储藏室The attic in my house can be used as a storage room.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are discussing where to store old boxes in their house.
- 俊杰 Junjie我们可以把这些旧书放在阁楼吗？Wǒmen kěyǐ bǎ zhèxiē jiùshū fàng zài gé lóu ma?Can we put these old books in the attic?
- 雨婷 Yuting我觉得阁楼的空间还挺大的。Wǒ juéde gé lóu de kōngjiān hái tǐng dà de.I think the attic has quite a lot of space.
- 俊杰 Junjie那太好了，正好腾出房间来。Nà tài hǎo le, zhènghǎo téng chū fángjiān lái.That's great, it will free up the room.
- 雨婷 Yuting俊杰，我这就去拿梯子。Jùnjié, wǒ zhè jiù qù ná tīzi.Junjie, I will go get the ladder right now.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
