Meaning of 窗台
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- windowsill; window ledge
How to use 窗台
窗台 is an everyday noun for the flat ledge inside or outside a window, often used with 上 to say something is on it. Example: 猫在窗台上睡觉。(Māo zài chuāngtái shang shuìjiào.) The cat is sleeping on the windowsill.
窗 (chuāng) means window and 台 (tái) means a platform or raised surface, so 窗台 is the little platform at the window. Picture a flower pot sitting on that flat ledge, just like a tiny 舞台 (wǔtái, stage) for the plant.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 窗台 with 阳台 (yángtái, balcony), but a 窗台 is only a narrow ledge you put things on, not a space you stand in. Also keep 窗 in first tone (chuāng), not third tone.
窗台 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
窗 chuāng · window · 12 strokes
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台 tái · you · 5 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 窗台.
| 舞台 | wǔtái | (lit. and fig.) stage; arena |
| 电台 | diàntái | transmitter-receiver; broadcasting station |
| 电视台 | diànshìtái | television station |
| 窗户 | chuānghu | window |
| 台上 | táishàng | on stage |
| 阳台 | yángtái | balcony; porch |
| 台阶 | táijiē | steps; flight of steps |
| 窗子 | chuāngzi | window |
| 窗帘 | chuānglián | window curtains |
| 台风 | táifēng | stage presence, poise |
| 窗口 | chuāngkǒu | window; opening providing restricted access (e.g. customer service window) |
| 上台 | shàngtái | to rise to power (in politics); to go on stage (in the theater) |
Questions about 窗台
What does 窗台 mean?
窗台 (chuāngtái) means "windowsill; window ledge" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 窗台?
窗台 is made of 2 characters: 窗 (12 strokes), 台 (5 strokes). That is 17 strokes in total.
Is 窗台 an HSK word?
Yes. 窗台 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 窗台 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 窗台 is written 窗臺.
Do I need to say 窗台上 or is 窗台 enough?
When you say where something is, add 上 after it: 书在窗台上 (shū zài chuāngtái shang). Chinese place words like this usually need a locator such as 上 to sound natural.
How is 窗台 different from 窗户?
窗户 (chuānghu) is the window itself, including the glass and frame. 窗台 is only the flat ledge at the bottom of the window.