重叠

• Pinyin: chóng dié
• Hanzi breakdown: 重 = repeat/layer; 叠 = 宜 + 冖 + 又 = to stack/fold

Meaning

To overlap; to superimpose; overlapping.

Used for physical overlapping of objects, time schedules that conflict, or abstract concepts like overlapping responsibilities. Common in technical, scheduling, and organizational contexts.

Examples

1. 两个会议的时间重叠了，我只能参加一个。 The times of the two meetings overlap, so I can only attend one.
2. 这两张图片重叠在一起形成了一个新的画面。 These two images overlaid together form a new picture.
3. 两个部门的职能有些重叠，需要重新划分。 The functions of the two departments overlap somewhat and need to be redefined.

Usage Guide

Context: scheduling, technical, organization

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 上下班高峰期和学校放学时间重叠。(Rush hour overlaps with school dismissal time.)
• 多个图层重叠可以创造出丰富的视觉效果。(Overlapping multiple layers can create rich visual effects.)

Don't Say

• 把书重叠起来 (For stacking books, use 叠起来; 重叠 emphasizes the overlapping state)

Origin & History

Compound of 重 (again/multiple) and 叠 (to stack/pile). Together they describe things layered on top of each other.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal