Definitions

1. Noun:
   • A bed, layer, stratum, or coat: A single thickness or covering of a material spread over a surface or forming one of several horizontal divisions.
   • A class (in school) or classroom: A group of students taught together or the room where such teaching occurs.
   • A class (in biology): A principal taxonomic category that ranks below a phylum and above an order.
   • An act (in a play): A main division of a play, often subdivided into scenes.
   • A generation or contingent: A group of people of similar age or status, or a group of people enlisted at the same time.

Usage Examples

• As a layer/stratum:
  • lớp đất trên mặt: a surface layer of soil.
  • Quét một lớp sơn.: Apply a coat of paint.
  • Lớp khí quyển.: An atmospheric layer.
• As a class/classroom:
  • Bạn học cùng lớp.: A classmate. (Literally: A friend who studies in the same class.)
  • Vào lớp.: Enter the classroom.
  • Lớp có vú: The class of mammals.
• As an act:
  • vở kịch có ba lớp: a play of three acts.
• As a generation/contingent:
  • Lớp tân binh 1981: the 1981 contingent of recruits.
  • Lớp người già.: The elderly generation.

Advanced Usage

• "lớp này": This period/these days; this batch/group.
  • Lớp này còn mưa nhiều.: It still rains a lot these days.
• "lớp trước": The previous time; the earlier period/batch.
  • Lớp trước tôi đã nói chuyện với anh rồi.: I already spoke with you the previous time.
• "lớp dưới" / "lớp trên": Lower class/stratum; upper class/stratum (social or literal).
  • Trung nông lớp dưới.: Lower-middle peasants.

Variants and Related Words

• Lớp học (n): Classroom; class (as a course or session). This is a compound noun.
  • Trật tự trong lớp học.: Order in the classroom.
• Lớp lang (n): Order, arrangement, sequence (often used in the fixed phrase "có lớp có lang" - orderly, methodical).
• Lớp lớp (adv/adj): Layer upon layer; in successive waves or generations.
  • Người đến lớp lớp.: People came in waves.

Synonyms

• Tầng (n): Storey, floor, stratum (often for geological layers or building floors).
• Lớp (địa chất): Stratum (scientific term).
• Lớp (sinh học): Class (scientific term).
• Lớp (sân khấu): Act.
• Khóa (n): Course, batch, cohort (for a group of students/trainees in the same intake).
• Thế hệ (n): Generation.

Related Phrases / Idioms

• Có lớp có lang: To be orderly, methodical, well-organized.
• Lớp này sang lớp khác: From one generation to the next; from one layer/class to another.
• Xếp thành từng lớp: To arrange in layers.

noun

1. bed; layer; stratum; coat
   • lớp đất trên mặt
     a surface stratum. class; classroom
   • lớp có vú
     the class of mamals. act
   • vở kịch có ba lớp
     a play of three acts