noun HSK 2
Traditional 一樓
first floor · ground floor
Meaning
一楼 refers to the ground floor or first floor of a building. In Chinese convention, this is the floor at street level, which differs from American usage where 'first floor' can mean the floor above ground level. It's a straightforward spatial term combining the number 'one' with 'floor' or 'story'.
Usage
Used in everyday conversation when discussing building locations, giving directions, or describing where something is located. Chinese counting of floors starts from ground level as 一楼, then 二楼 (second floor) above it, etc. Commonly used with the verb 在 (to be at) or when asking directions.
Examples
- 01卫生间在一楼。.The restroom is on the first floor.
- 02我们的教室在一楼最左边。.Our classroom is on the far left of the first floor.
Characters
Common collocations
- 在一楼on the first floor
- 住一楼to live on the first floor
- 去一楼to go to the first floor
Origin
Compound word combining 一 (one) with 楼 (floor/building). 楼 originally depicted a multi-story building structure.