阳台

• Pinyin: yáng tái
• Hanzi breakdown: 阳 = 阝 (mound radical) + 日 (sun), sunny side or yang; 台 = a pictograph of a raised platform or altar

Meaning

Balcony. An outdoor platform projecting from the wall of a building, typically accessible from inside a flat.

A key feature in Chinese residential architecture. Commonly used for drying laundry (晾衣服), growing potted plants, or relaxing outdoors. In Chinese cities, balconies are often enclosed with glass to create additional living space. The measure word is 个.

Examples

1. 他喜欢在阳台上种花，每天早上都去浇水。 He likes to grow flowers on the balcony and waters them every morning.
2. 从我家阳台可以看到对面的小公园。 From my apartment's balcony, you can see the small park across the way.
3. 天气好的时候，她喜欢坐在阳台上晒太阳看书。 When the weather is nice, she likes to sit on the balcony to sunbathe and read.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, home

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 她把洗好的衣服晾在阳台上。(She hung the washed clothes out to dry on the balcony.)
• 这套公寓有一个朝南的大阳台。(This apartment has a large south-facing balcony.)

Don't Say

• 把'阳台'和'露台'混用 (Don't confuse 阳台 with 露台 — 阳台 is a projecting balcony, while 露台 is a rooftop terrace or open-air flat roof)

Origin & History

A compound of 阳 (sun/sunlit, from 阝 mound + 日 sun) and 台 (platform/stage). A sunlit platform — reflecting the idea of an open outdoor space catching sunlight.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal