Meaning:
Translated as “ceiling,” this word refers to “the inside surface of a room that you can see when you look above you.” Like its English counterpart, the word is also used as a metaphor for “the highest level, number, or amount something or someone is allowed to reach.” For example, people can use “歌手天花板” (a singer’s ceiling) to refer to the best singer in their opinion.
Example:
A: 你心目中觉得谁是天花板级别的华语歌手？
Nǐ xīnmù zhōng juédé shuí shì tiānhuābǎn jíbié de huáyǔ gēshǒu？
Who do you think is the best Chinese singer?
B: 可能我比较怀旧，张国荣是我最喜欢的歌手。
Kěnéng wǒ bǐjiào huáijiù，zhāngguóróng shì wǒ zuì xǐhuan de gēshǒu。
I guess I am kind of nostalgic; Leslie Cheung is my favorite.