封顶 fēngdǐng to put a roof (on a building)
to put a roof (on a building); to cap the roof (finishing a building project); figuratively to put a ceiling (on spending, prize, ambition etc); to top off; figuratively to reach the highest point (of growth, profit, interest rates); to stop growing (of plant bud or branch)
How to remember 封顶: 封 envelope + 顶 top = to put a roof (on a building).
Characters
How it is used
- Two live senses. Construction: to top out a building (finish the roof) - 大楼今天封顶 (dàlóu jīntiān fēngdǐng) the tower is topped off today.
- Figurative and very common: to cap at a ceiling - 奖金上不封顶 (jiǎngjīn shàng bù fēngdǐng) the bonus has no upper limit.
- The 不封顶 / 封顶 pair is standard for spending, prizes, and interest-rate limits.