露台
lùtái
Terrace in Chinese, meaning a platform that extends outwards from a building, is 露台 (lùtái).
露台 is a common word for a terrace, an open platform on or beside a building. You might say 露台上的花园非常美丽, the garden on the terrace is very beautiful.
Meaning: platform that extends outwards from a building (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
露台 is made of 露, exposed and 台, platform or stage, so it is literally an exposed platform.
Which one should you use?
露台 refers to a larger terrace or open platform, while 阳台 (yángtái) is the more common word for a standard apartment balcony.
How do you pronounce it?
露台 is pronounced lùtái, with a falling tone on the first syllable and a rising tone on the second.
Did you know?
- Chinese has a specific term for 'terraced fields' called 梯田, which literally translates to 'ladder fields', treating the hillside as a giant set of stairs.
- The character 露 in 露台 can be read as 'dew'. This gives the word a poetic double meaning, suggesting a place where one encounters morning dew.
- While 露台 describes an exposed platform, the word for a balcony, 阳台, literally translates to 'sun platform' because these spaces are designed to catch the sunlight.
Examples in context
- 他在露台上喝咖啡。He is drinking coffee on the terrace.
- 我们在露台喝咖啡吧。Wǒmen zài lùtái hē kāfēi ba.Let's drink coffee on the terrace.
- 这个餐厅有一个漂亮的露台。Zhège cāntīng yǒu yīgè piàoliang de lùtái.This restaurant has a beautiful terrace.
- 把这些椅子放在露台上面。Bǎ zhèxiē yǐzi fàng zài lùtái shàngmiàn.Put these chairs on the terrace.
Example conversation
Haoran and Jiayi are deciding where to relax at a cafe.
- 浩然 Haoran外面的阳光很好。Wàimiàn de yángguāng hěn hǎo.The sunlight outside is very nice.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那我们去露台坐坐吧。Nà wǒmen qù lùtái zuòzuò ba.Then let's go sit on the terrace.
- 浩然 Haoran好主意，那里的空气很清新。Hǎo zhǔyì, nàlǐ de kōngqì hěn qīngxīn.Good idea, the air is very fresh there.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我也很喜欢那个位置。Wǒ yě hěn xǐhuān nàgè wèizhì.I also like that spot very much.
