封顶

• Pinyin: fēng dǐng
• Hanzi breakdown: 封 = 圭 + 寸 (jade tablet + inch — to seal, to close, to confer); 顶 = 丁 + 页 (a nail + head/page — top, peak, summit, to carry on top)

Meaning

To set an upper limit or cap; in construction, to complete the topmost structure of a building (topping out); in policy or finance, to impose a maximum ceiling.

In construction, 封顶 is a milestone marking when the main structure reaches its highest point. In policy and finance, it refers to a cap on spending, income, or other measurable quantities. Also used colloquially to mean 'maxed out.'

Examples

1. 经过两年的紧张施工，这座地标性摩天大楼终于完成封顶，开发商在现场举行了简短的庆祝仪式，宣告主体结构建设阶段正式画上句号。 After two years of intense construction, this landmark skyscraper finally topped out; the developer held a brief celebration on site, marking the formal completion of the main structural phase.
2. 政策规定个人医疗报销金额实行封顶机制，超出上限部分须由参保人自行承担，这一安排引发了社会各界对医疗保障体系公平性的广泛讨论。 The policy sets a reimbursement cap for individual medical expenses; any amount above the limit must be paid by the insured person, sparking broad public debate about fairness in the health-care system.
3. 这款游戏中的角色升级系统没有设置封顶，玩家可以持续提升属性，这种设计大幅延长了游戏的可玩性，但也引发了关于公平竞技环境的质疑。 This game’s character leveling system has no cap, so players can keep raising their stats; the design greatly extends replay value, but it has also raised questions about a fair competitive environment.

Usage Guide

Context: construction, finance, policy, gaming

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 主管部门决定对平台经营者收取的服务手续费实行封顶管理，规定其不得超过交易金额的百分之三，以此保护中小商户的合法权益不受侵害。(The competent authority decided to implement a cap on service fees charged by platform operators, stipulating that they may not exceed three per cent of the transaction amount, thereby protecting the legitimate rights and interests of small and medium-sized merchants from infringement.)
• 按照这份协议，员工年度绩效奖金与利润挂钩，但设有封顶条款，单人奖金不得超过年薪的百分之五十。(Under this agreement, employees' annual performance bonuses are tied to profits, but a cap applies, so no one can receive more than 50 percent of their annual salary.)

Don't Say

• 封顶 to mean 'the absolute best' casually — in formal contexts it specifically refers to a regulatory or structural cap; for 'the best ever,' use 巅峰 or 极致

Origin & History

封 (to seal; to close; to cap) + 顶 (top; peak; ceiling) — to seal the top; to impose an upper limit or complete the topmost structure

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal