臭氧层
chòuyǎngcéng
The English phrase "ozone layer" is translated into Chinese as 臭氧层 (chòuyǎngcéng).
臭氧层 is used to refer to the region of the stratosphere.
Meaning: a region of the stratosphere (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 臭氧 (ozone) and 层 (layer). While the character 臭 (chòu) literally means "smelly", it is used here as part of the fixed scientific term for ozone. The character 氧 (yǎng) means "oxygen", and 层 (céng) means "layer" or "level".
How do you pronounce it?
chòuyǎngcéng
Did you know?
- The term 臭氧 was coined by translating the Greek 'ozōn', but Chinese retains the literal 'smell' meaning of the original Greek root more explicitly than English does.
- In modern Chinese, the word 臭 is often used in internet slang to describe someone who is 'stinking' or behaves in a way that is socially unacceptable. This creates a funny mental image when reading the formal scientific term 臭氧.
- The character 氧 (yǎng) is part of a specific group of characters in Chinese that are almost exclusively used in modern chemistry and biology. These are often called 'new' characters in the context of linguistic history.
Examples in context
- 增强对臭氧层破坏的监测和管理是非常重要的。Strengthening the monitoring and management of the ozone layer destruction is of utmost importance.
- 臭氧层保护地球。Chòuyǎngcéng bǎohù dìqiú.The ozone layer protects the Earth.
- 我们需要保护臭氧层。Wǒmen xūyào bǎohù chòuyǎngcéng.We need to protect the ozone layer.
- 臭氧层变得越来越薄了。Chòuyǎngcéng biàn de yuè lái yuè báo le.The ozone layer is getting thinner and thinner.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing an environmental news report.
- 伟 Wei你听说关于臭氧层的新闻了吗？Nǐ tīngshuō guānyú chòuyǎngcéng de xīnwén le ma?Did you hear the news about the ozone layer?
- 梓涵 Zihan听说了，情况很严重。Tīngshuō le, qíngkuàng hěn yánzhòng.I heard, the situation is very serious.
- 伟 Wei所以我们必须减少污染。Suǒyǐ wǒmen bìxū jiǎnshǎo wūrǎn.So we must reduce pollution.
- 梓涵 Zihan没错，这非常重要。Méicuò, zhè fēicháng zhòngyào.That's right, it is very important.
