土地
土地 en 30 secondes
- Means land, soil, or territory.
- Used for farming, building, and borders.
- Measure words: 块 (kuài) or 片 (piàn).
- Essential for geography and real estate.
The Chinese word 土地 (tǔ dì) fundamentally refers to land, soil, or territory. It is a foundational vocabulary word in Chinese, essential for discussing everything from basic agriculture to national sovereignty. In its most literal sense, it means the physical ground we walk on, the soil used for planting crops, and the real estate upon which buildings are constructed. Understanding 土地 requires recognizing its dual nature: it is both a physical substance (dirt/soil) and an abstract concept (territory/property). Throughout Chinese history, land has been the primary source of wealth and stability, making this word deeply significant in cultural and historical contexts. When you learn this word at the A1 level, you are primarily associating it with the ground or a piece of land. However, as you progress, you will see it used in legal, economic, and political discussions.
- Literal Meaning
- 土 (tǔ) means dirt, earth, or soil. 地 (dì) means ground, earth, or place. Together, they form a comprehensive term for land.
这片土地很肥沃。(This land is very fertile.)
In everyday conversation, you might hear people talking about buying land, farming the land, or protecting the land. The concept extends beyond just the physical dirt. It encompasses the idea of a homeland or a specific region with its own characteristics. For example, when someone speaks of their 'native land', they use this concept to evoke a sense of belonging and identity. The word is incredibly versatile. It can be modified by numerous adjectives to describe the quality, ownership, or purpose of the land.
- Usage Context
- Used in agriculture, real estate, geography, and politics.
农民在土地上辛勤工作。(Farmers work hard on the land.)
Furthermore, the term is frequently used in legal and economic contexts. Land ownership, land rights, and land development are major topics in modern China. The government policies regarding 土地 are crucial for urban planning and rural development. Therefore, mastering this word opens up a wide range of reading materials, from simple stories about farming to complex news articles about real estate markets and zoning laws.
- Collocations
- Commonly paired with verbs like 开发 (develop), 购买 (buy), and 保护 (protect).
政府出台了新的土地政策。(The government issued new land policies.)
It is also important to note the emotional weight the word carries. In literature and poetry, 土地 often symbolizes life, sustenance, and the enduring spirit of the people. The connection between the Chinese people and their land is a recurring theme in art and literature, reflecting a deep-rooted agrarian history. When reading Chinese literature, pay attention to how the author describes the land, as it often reflects the mood or theme of the story.
我们热爱这片土地。(We love this land.)
祖国的土地神圣不可侵犯。(The territory of the motherland is sacred and inviolable.)
Using 土地 correctly depends on the context, as it functions primarily as a noun but can be part of larger compound nouns or phrases. In basic sentences, it acts as the subject or object. For example, 'The land is big' (土地很大) or 'They bought a piece of land' (他们买了一块土地). The measure word most commonly used with 土地 is 块 (kuài), which means 'piece' or 'plot'. So, 一块土地 means 'a piece of land'. This is essential for A1 and A2 learners to master early on.
- Measure Word
- 块 (kuài) - 一块土地 (a piece of land), 片 (piàn) - 一片土地 (a stretch of land).
他买了一块土地用来建房子。(He bought a piece of land to build a house.)
As you move to intermediate levels (B1-B2), you will start using 土地 in more complex structures, often involving possession, modification, or abstract concepts. You might discuss 'land resources' (土地资源), 'land area' (土地面积), or 'land reform' (土地改革). In these cases, 土地 acts almost like an adjective modifying the following noun, though grammatically it remains a noun adjunct. Understanding these compound words is crucial for reading news and academic texts.
- Compound Nouns
- 土地资源 (land resources), 土地利用 (land use), 土地所有权 (land ownership).
这个国家的土地面积很大。(The land area of this country is very large.)
In advanced usage (C1-C2), 土地 is used metaphorically and in formal political discourse. Phrases like 'defend the territory' (保卫土地) or 'sacred territory' (神圣的土地) are common in patriotic or historical contexts. Here, the word transcends its physical meaning and becomes a symbol of the nation and its people. You will also encounter it in legal documents where precise definitions of land boundaries and rights are necessary.
- Formal Usage
- Used in legal and political documents to denote sovereign territory or jurisdictional area.
保护每一寸土地是我们的责任。(It is our duty to protect every inch of territory.)
城市扩张占用了大量农业土地。(Urban expansion has occupied a large amount of agricultural land.)
When writing essays or giving presentations in Chinese, using 土地 appropriately will elevate your language. Instead of just saying 'place' (地方), using 'land' (土地) when referring to geographical or agricultural areas shows a higher level of vocabulary precision. Practice combining it with different adjectives, such as 肥沃的土地 (fertile land), 贫瘠的土地 (barren land), or 广阔的土地 (vast land), to make your descriptions more vivid and accurate.
这片广阔的土地孕育了悠久的文化。(This vast land has nurtured a long history of culture.)
The word 土地 is ubiquitous in Chinese society, appearing in various contexts ranging from daily conversations to formal news broadcasts. If you watch Chinese news channels like CCTV, you will frequently hear this word in reports about agriculture, urban development, and national sovereignty. News segments discussing the 'Three Rural Issues' (agriculture, rural areas, and farmers) heavily feature the term 土地 when addressing land transfer, farming subsidies, and rural revitalization. It is a keyword for anyone trying to understand China's domestic policies.
- News & Media
- Frequently heard in reports on urban planning, real estate markets, and agricultural policies.
新闻报道了最新的土地管理法。(The news reported on the latest land management law.)
In everyday life, you might hear it when people discuss buying property or moving to the countryside. While urbanites might talk more about 'apartments' (房子), the underlying value is often tied to the 土地 it sits on. In rural areas, the word is part of daily vocabulary, as farmers discuss the quality of their soil, the crops they are planting, and the weather's effect on the land. Documentaries about nature, geography, or history also rely heavily on this word to describe the physical landscape of China.
- Rural Conversations
- Farmers and rural residents use it daily to discuss farming, crop yields, and soil health.
爷爷对这片土地有着深厚的感情。(Grandpa has a deep affection for this land.)
In literature and music, 土地 is a powerful motif. Many famous Chinese poems and modern songs use the word to evoke a sense of nostalgia, patriotism, or connection to nature. For instance, songs praising the motherland often refer to the 'vast land' (辽阔的土地). Reading modern Chinese literature, such as the works of Mo Yan or Pearl S. Buck (translated), you will see how the land shapes the characters' lives and destinies. The emotional resonance of the word in these contexts is profound.
- Literature & Art
- Used as a symbol of life, endurance, homeland, and national identity.
诗人用美丽的诗句赞美了祖国的土地。(The poet praised the motherland's land with beautiful verses.)
海外游子总是思念着家乡的土地。(Overseas wanderers always miss the land of their hometown.)
Finally, in business and legal environments, 土地 is a critical term. Real estate developers, urban planners, and lawyers use specific terminology like 土地出让金 (land transfer fee) or 土地使用权 (land use rights). If you are working in China or doing business related to infrastructure or property, mastering the legal and commercial nuances of this word is absolutely essential. It is not just dirt; it is a highly regulated and valuable asset.
公司购买了这块土地的开发权。(The company purchased the development rights for this land.)
A frequent mistake learners make is confusing 土地 (tǔdì) with 地方 (dìfang). While both relate to space, they are not interchangeable. 地方 means 'place' or 'location' in a general sense, such as 'a good place to eat' (吃饭的好地方). 土地, on the other hand, strictly refers to the physical land, soil, or territory. You cannot say 'a good land to eat' when you mean a restaurant. This distinction is crucial for A1 and A2 learners to grasp early to avoid sounding unnatural.
- 土地 vs 地方
- 土地 = physical land/soil/territory. 地方 = place/location/spot.
❌ 错误: 这是一个很漂亮的土地。(Intended: This is a beautiful place.)
✅ 正确: 这是一个很漂亮的地方。
Another common error involves the measure words. Learners often use 个 (gè) as a default measure word for everything. While understandable, saying 一个土地 sounds incorrect. The proper measure words are 块 (kuài) for a piece or plot of land, and 片 (piàn) for a larger stretch or expanse of land. Using the correct measure word immediately makes your Chinese sound more native and precise. Memorizing '一块土地' as a single chunk of vocabulary can help prevent this mistake.
- Incorrect Measure Words
- Avoid using 个 (gè). Use 块 (kuài) or 片 (piàn).
❌ 错误: 他买了一个土地。
✅ 正确: 他买了一块土地。
At intermediate levels, learners sometimes confuse 土地 with 土壤 (tǔrǎng). While both translate to 'soil' or 'earth' in some contexts, 土壤 is a scientific or agricultural term referring specifically to the composition of the dirt (e.g., soil quality, nutrients). 土地 is broader, encompassing the area, the property, and the territory. If you are talking about adding fertilizer to improve the dirt, 土壤 is better. If you are talking about plowing the field or owning the area, 土地 is correct.
- 土地 vs 土壤
- 土地 = land/territory (broad). 土壤 = soil/dirt (scientific/agricultural composition).
❌ 错误: 这里的土地缺乏氮元素。(Intended: The soil here lacks nitrogen.)
✅ 正确: 这里的土壤缺乏氮元素。
农民关心土地的收成,科学家关心土壤的成分。(Farmers care about the land's harvest; scientists care about the soil's composition.)
Lastly, be careful with the pronunciation. The pinyin is tǔ dì. Both are third and fourth tones respectively. A common pronunciation mistake is flattening the tones or pronouncing 地 as 'de' (the structural particle). When it means land, 地 is strictly a fourth tone (dì). Practicing the tone pair (3rd + 4th) is essential for clear communication. Mispronouncing it can lead to confusion, especially in fast speech.
请注意发音:tǔ (三声) dì (四声)。(Please note the pronunciation: tǔ (3rd tone) dì (4th tone).)
Expanding your vocabulary around the concept of land will greatly enhance your fluency. Several words share similar meanings with 土地 but are used in slightly different contexts. The most common synonym is 领土 (lǐngtǔ), which specifically means 'territory' in a national or sovereign sense. While 土地 can be a farmer's field, 领土 is strictly the land belonging to a country. You would use 领土 when discussing borders, wars, or international law.
- 领土 (lǐngtǔ)
- Territory (national/sovereign). Used in political and international contexts.
保卫国家领土完整。(Defend the territorial integrity of the country.)
Another related word is 地面 (dìmiàn), which translates to 'ground' or 'surface of the earth'. This is purely physical. If you drop your keys, they fall on the 地面, not the 土地 (unless you are outside in a field). 地面 focuses on the surface aspect, often in contrast to the sky or underground. Understanding this distinction helps you describe physical actions and locations more accurately.
- 地面 (dìmiàn)
- Ground/floor/surface. Used for physical surfaces.
杯子掉在地面上碎了。(The cup fell on the ground and broke.)
For agricultural contexts, 田地 (tiándì) is a great word to know. It specifically means 'farmland' or 'fields'. While 土地 is the general term for land, 田地 tells the listener immediately that the land is used for growing crops. It evokes images of rice paddies or wheat fields. In literature, 田地 can also metaphorically mean 'plight' or 'wretched situation', but its primary literal meaning is farmland.
- 田地 (tiándì)
- Farmland/field. Specifically for agricultural use.
农民在田地里插秧。(Farmers are planting rice seedlings in the fields.)
这片土地被开垦成了肥沃的田地。(This land was reclaimed into fertile farmland.)
Finally, 地产 (dìchǎn) refers to 'real estate' or 'property'. When land is viewed purely as a commercial asset to be bought, sold, or developed, this term is used. It is often combined with 房 (house) to make 房地产 (real estate). If you are reading financial news, 地产 is the word you will encounter most often when discussing the economic value of 土地.
他投资了很多地产项目。(He invested in many real estate projects.)
How Formal Is It?
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Niveau de difficulté
Grammaire à connaître
Exemples par niveau
这是土地。
This is land.
Basic 'A is B' structure using 是.
土地很大。
The land is big.
Adjective predicate without 是, using 很.
我爱这片土地。
I love this land.
Subject-Verb-Object. Measure word 片.
土地上有一棵树。
There is a tree on the land.
Location word 上 indicating 'on'.
他买了一块土地。
He bought a piece of land.
Completed action with 了. Measure word 块.
这是好土地。
This is good land.
Adjective modifying a noun.
土地是棕色的。
The land is brown.
Color description using 的.
我们走在土地上。
We walk on the land.
Preposition 在 for location.
农民在土地上种菜。
Farmers grow vegetables on the land.
Action occurring at a location (在...上).
这块土地非常肥沃。
This piece of land is very fertile.
Intensifier 非常 with adjective.
他们想卖掉这片土地。
They want to sell this piece of land.
Auxiliary verb 想 and resultative complement 掉.
没有水,土地会变干。
Without water, the land will become dry.
Conditional clause without explicit 'if'.
保护土地很重要。
Protecting the land is very important.
Verb phrase acting as the subject.
这片土地属于我的家人。
This land belongs to my family.
Verb 属于 (belong to).
他们在土地上建了一座房子。
They built a house on the land.
Completed action with specific quantity.
我们需要更多的土地。
We need more land.
Comparative 更多 modifying noun.
政府计划开发这片土地。
The government plans to develop this land.
Formal vocabulary 开发 (develop).
土地资源的合理利用是关键。
The rational use of land resources is key.
Compound noun 土地资源.
由于污染,这片土地不能再种庄稼了。
Due to pollution, crops can no longer be grown on this land.
Cause and effect 由于...不能再...
这块土地的面积大约是十公顷。
The area of this land is about ten hectares.
Expressing measurement and area.
城市扩张导致农业土地减少。
Urban expansion leads to a decrease in agricultural land.
Cause and effect verb 导致.
这片土地承载着丰富的历史文化。
This land carries a rich historical culture.
Abstract verb 承载 (carry/bear).
他们正在争夺这块土地的所有权。
They are fighting for the ownership of this land.
Legal/formal term 所有权.
我们必须为子孙后代保护好这片土地。
We must protect this land well for future generations.
Preposition 为 indicating beneficiary.
土地流转政策极大地促进了农业现代化。
The land transfer policy has greatly promoted agricultural modernization.
Advanced political/economic terminology (土地流转).
房地产开发商以高价竞拍下了这块商业土地。
Real estate developers won the bid for this commercial land at a high price.
Complex sentence with prepositional phrase 以高价.
这片土地见证了这座城市从衰落到繁荣的变迁。
This land has witnessed the city's transition from decline to prosperity.
Personification using 见证 (witness).
土地征收过程中必须保障农民的合法权益。
The legitimate rights and interests of farmers must be guaranteed during the land expropriation process.
Formal legal phrasing (合法权益).
过度开垦导致土地荒漠化日益严重。
Over-reclamation has led to increasingly severe land desertification.
Scientific/environmental terminology (荒漠化).
他深情地亲吻着祖国的土地,泪流满面。
He kissed the land of his motherland affectionately, his face covered in tears.
Descriptive adverbial phrase 深情地.
土地财政曾是许多地方政府的主要收入来源。
Land finance was once the main source of revenue for many local governments.
Economic concept 土地财政.
在这片贫瘠的土地上,他们奇迹般地建起了一座绿洲。
On this barren land, they miraculously built an oasis.
Contrast and descriptive language (贫瘠, 奇迹般).
中国历代王朝的兴衰,无不与土地制度的变革息息相关。
The rise and fall of Chinese dynasties throughout history are all closely related to changes in the land system.
Double negative for emphasis (无不) and idiom (息息相关).
坚守十八亿亩耕地红线,是保障国家粮食安全的底线。
Adhering to the red line of 1.8 billion mu of arable land is the bottom line for ensuring national food security.
Specific political/policy jargon (耕地红线).
这部小说深刻地描绘了农民对土地那种近乎宗教般的虔诚与依恋。
This novel profoundly depicts the peasants' almost religious piety and attachment to the land.
Advanced descriptive vocabulary (虔诚, 依恋).
随着城市化进程的加速,城乡土地二元结构带来的矛盾日益凸显。
With the acceleration of urbanization, the contradictions brought about by the dual structure of urban and rural land are becoming increasingly prominent.
Academic/sociological terminology (二元结构, 凸显).
土地不仅是生产资料,更是维系乡村社会网络和文化传承的空间载体。
Land is not only a means of production, but also a spatial carrier that maintains rural social networks and cultural heritage.
Not only... but also structure (不仅是...更是...) with abstract concepts.
在资本的逻辑下,土地被彻底商品化,剥离了其原有的自然与社会属性。
Under the logic of capital, land has been thoroughly commodified, stripped of its original natural and social attributes.
Critical theory vocabulary (商品化, 剥离, 属性).
面对土地确权中的历史遗留问题,地方政府需要展现出极大的政治智慧。
Faced with historical legacy issues in land rights confirmation, local governments need to demonstrate great political wisdom.
Administrative terminology (土地确权, 历史遗留问题).
诗人以苍凉的笔触,吟咏着这片饱经沧桑的土地上生生不息的民族魂。
With a desolate touch, the poet chants the endless national soul on this land that has experienced many vicissitudes.
Highly literary and poetic language (苍凉, 饱经沧桑, 生生不息).
土地兼并的狂潮最终摧毁了自耕农阶层,敲响了封建王朝的丧钟。
The frenzy of land annexation ultimately destroyed the class of independent farmers and sounded the death knell for the feudal dynasty.
Historical analysis using strong metaphors (狂潮, 丧钟).
在海德格尔的语境中,土地不仅仅是物理的延展,更是人类诗意栖居的本体论根基。
In Heidegger's context, land is not merely a physical extension, but the ontological foundation of human poetic dwelling.
Philosophical discourse (语境, 本体论根基).
现行土地管理法在平衡国家强制力与私权保护之间,仍存在亟待厘清的法理模糊地带。
The current land management law still has jurisprudential gray areas that urgently need to be clarified in balancing state coercive power and the protection of private rights.
Advanced legal analysis (强制力, 法理模糊地带).
这部史诗巨著以黄土地为宏大叙事背景,将个体的悲欢离合融入了民族命运的浩荡洪流之中。
This epic masterpiece uses the yellow earth as a grand narrative background, integrating the joys and sorrows of individuals into the mighty torrent of national destiny.
Literary critique vocabulary (宏大叙事, 悲欢离合, 浩荡洪流).
从‘打土豪分田地’到‘家庭联产承包’,土地制度的每一次剧变都深刻重塑了中国的社会阶层结构。
From 'striking down local tyrants and distributing land' to the 'household responsibility system', every drastic change in the land system has profoundly reshaped China's social class structure.
Referencing specific historical slogans and movements.
在资本主义全球化扩张的浪潮下,边缘地区的土地正遭遇着前所未有的空间剥夺与生态殖民。
Under the wave of capitalist globalization expansion, land in peripheral areas is experiencing unprecedented spatial deprivation and ecological colonization.
Critical geography and sociological terminology (空间剥夺, 生态殖民).
那片被鲜血浸透的土地,无言地诉说着战争的残酷与和平的来之不易,成为一代人心中永恒的创伤记忆。
That land soaked in blood silently tells of the cruelty of war and the hard-won nature of peace, becoming an eternal traumatic memory in the hearts of a generation.
Evocative, emotional, and highly descriptive literary phrasing.
探讨土地财政的转型路径,必须跳出路径依赖的窠臼,在顶层设计上重构中央与地方的财权事权划分。
To explore the transition path of land finance, one must jump out of the rut of path dependence and reconstruct the division of financial and administrative powers between the central and local governments in top-level design.
High-level economic policy analysis (路径依赖的窠臼, 顶层设计, 财权事权).
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
在这片土地上
土地流转
土地出让
土地管理
热爱土地
土地公
土地庙
失去土地
土地肥沃
土地干旱
Souvent confondu avec
Expressions idiomatiques
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Facile à confondre
Structures de phrases
Comment l'utiliser
While 土地 is the general term, it carries a heavier, more formal or emotional weight than simply saying 地 (ground). It implies an area of significance, whether for farming, building, or national identity.
In Taiwan, discussions about land often use the term 土地 (tǔdì) similarly, but specific legal terms might differ (e.g., 地政 for land administration). In rural mainland China, farmers might simply say 地 (dì) for their fields.
- Using 个 (gè) as the measure word instead of 块 (kuài) or 片 (piàn).
- Confusing 土地 (land) with 地方 (place/location).
- Using 土地 to refer to the floor inside a building (should be 地板).
- Pronouncing 地 as a neutral tone 'de' instead of the 4th tone 'dì'.
- Using 土地 when the scientific term 土壤 (soil composition) is more appropriate.
Astuces
Measure Words Matter
Always use 块 (kuài) or 片 (piàn) with 土地. 块 is for a plot, 片 is for a vast expanse. Never use 个.
Distinguish from 地方
地方 means 'place' or 'location'. 土地 means 'physical land' or 'soil'. Don't say 'a beautiful land' when you mean 'a beautiful place'.
Tone Precision
Practice the 3rd-4th tone combination (tǔ dì). A common mistake is making the second syllable neutral. It must be a sharp falling tone.
The Earth God
If you see a small shrine near the ground in a Chinese community, it's likely for 土地公 (Tǔdìgōng), the local Earth God.
News Vocabulary
In news, 土地 is often part of compound words like 土地流转 (land transfer) or 土地财政 (land finance). Learn these as single units.
Descriptive Adjectives
Enhance your writing by pairing 土地 with strong adjectives: 肥沃 (fertile), 贫瘠 (barren), 广阔 (vast), or 神圣 (sacred).
Context Clues
If you hear 土地 with words like 农民 (farmer) or 种 (plant), it means farmland. With 开发商 (developer), it means real estate.
Metaphorical Use
In literature, 土地 often symbolizes life, endurance, or the motherland. Look beyond the literal 'dirt' meaning in poems or stories.
土地 vs 土壤
Use 土地 for geography, property, or territory. Use 土壤 (tǔrǎng) when talking about the scientific composition of the dirt/soil.
Learn an Idiom
Learn '寸土必争' (cùn tǔ bì zhēng) - to fight for every inch of land. It shows the cultural importance of territory.
Mémorise-le
Origine du mot
Both characters share the 'earth' radical (土). 土 originally depicted a lump of clay on a potter's wheel or a mound of earth. 地 combines 土 (earth) and 也 (a phonetic component, originally depicting a snake or a funnel, but here used for sound).
Contexte culturel
The government maintains a strict 'red line' (1.8 billion mu) of arable land to ensure food security for its massive population.
土地公 (Tǔdìgōng) is worshipped in many traditional communities for agricultural success and local protection.
China's long history as a farming civilization makes land the ultimate symbol of life and sustenance.
In contemporary China, owning land/property is a major life goal and a prerequisite for marriage in many regions.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Amorces de conversation
"你家乡的土地适合种什么?(What is the land in your hometown suitable for growing?)"
"你觉得现在城市的土地越来越少了吗?(Do you think urban land is becoming scarcer nowadays?)"
"如果有一块土地,你想用来做什么?(If you had a piece of land, what would you use it for?)"
"在你们国家,买土地容易吗?(Is it easy to buy land in your country?)"
"你了解中国的土地政策吗?(Do you know about China's land policies?)"
Sujets d'écriture
Describe a beautiful piece of land you have visited. (描述你参观过的一片美丽的土地。)
Write about the importance of protecting agricultural land. (写一写保护农业土地的重要性。)
If you could buy land anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? (如果你能在世界上任何地方买土地,你会买在哪里?为什么?)
Discuss the difference between living in a city and living on the land (countryside). (讨论住在城市和住在乡村土地上的区别。)
Reflect on the phrase 'native land' and what it means to you. (反思“故土”这个词,以及它对你意味着什么。)
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, 土地 strictly refers to the outdoor earth, ground, or land. For the floor inside a building, you should use 地板 (dìbǎn) or 地面 (dìmiàn). Using 土地 for an indoor floor sounds very unnatural. It implies you have raw dirt inside your house. Stick to 地板 for wooden/tile floors.
土地 is the general word for land, soil, or property. It can refer to a farmer's field or a plot for a house. 领土 specifically means 'territory' in a political and sovereign sense. You use 领土 when talking about a country's borders and national defense. 土地 is physical or economic; 领土 is political.
The two most common measure words are 块 (kuài) and 片 (piàn). Use 块 for a specific, usually smaller or defined plot of land, like a building lot (一块土地). Use 片 for a larger, broader expanse or stretch of land, like a vast plain or region (一片土地). Do not use 个 (gè).
Yes, absolutely. While it means 'soil' or 'farmland' in rural contexts, in cities it refers to real estate and development plots. Terms like 土地开发 (land development) and 土地拍卖 (land auction) are extremely common in urban economic news. It is the foundation of the real estate market.
The Earth God in Chinese folk religion is called 土地公 (Tǔdìgōng) or 土地神 (Tǔdìshén). He is a tutelary deity who protects a specific local area, village, or neighborhood. You will often see small shrines dedicated to him in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and parts of mainland China.
Grammatically, 土地 is a noun. However, it is frequently used as a noun adjunct, meaning it modifies another noun placed immediately after it. For example, in 土地政策 (land policy) or 土地资源 (land resources), it acts like an adjective describing the type of policy or resource.
Depending on the context, the opposite could be 天空 (tiānkōng - sky) if you are talking about the physical environment (heaven and earth). If you are talking about geography, the opposite is 海洋 (hǎiyáng - ocean) or 水域 (shuǐyù - water area). There is no single direct antonym.
Not directly. 国家 (guójiā) means country. However, 土地 is often used metaphorically or poetically to refer to one's homeland or country, much like saying 'this land' in English. For example, 祖国的土地 means 'the land of the motherland'.
It is pronounced tǔ dì. The first character 土 is a third tone (falling-rising), and the second character 地 is a fourth tone (falling). Make sure to drop the pitch sharply on the second syllable. Do not pronounce 地 as 'de' (the neutral tone particle).
Common verbs include 买 (buy), 卖 (sell), 开发 (develop), 保护 (protect), 耕种 (farm/cultivate), and 征用 (expropriate). You also use prepositions like 在...上 (on) to describe actions happening on the land, such as 在土地上建房子 (build a house on the land).
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Summary
土地 (tǔdì) is the foundational Chinese word for 'land'. It ranges from the physical dirt farmers plow to the abstract territory a nation defends. Mastering it is key to understanding Chinese discussions on agriculture, real estate, and geography.
- Means land, soil, or territory.
- Used for farming, building, and borders.
- Measure words: 块 (kuài) or 片 (piàn).
- Essential for geography and real estate.
Measure Words Matter
Always use 块 (kuài) or 片 (piàn) with 土地. 块 is for a plot, 片 is for a vast expanse. Never use 个.
Distinguish from 地方
地方 means 'place' or 'location'. 土地 means 'physical land' or 'soil'. Don't say 'a beautiful land' when you mean 'a beautiful place'.
Tone Precision
Practice the 3rd-4th tone combination (tǔ dì). A common mistake is making the second syllable neutral. It must be a sharp falling tone.
The Earth God
If you see a small shrine near the ground in a Chinese community, it's likely for 土地公 (Tǔdìgōng), the local Earth God.
Exemple
这片土地很肥沃。
Contenu associé
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Plus de mots sur nature
观赏
A2to view, to admire (scenery)
探险
B1to explore
空气
A1Air
沿着
A2along
始终
A2from beginning to end; always
动物
A1Animal. Un être vivant doué de sensibilité et de mouvement.
靠近
A2S'approcher de quelque chose ou être proche de quelque chose.
人工
A2Artificiel; fait par l'homme. Exemples: 1. Ce lac est artificiel (这个湖是人工的). 2. L'intelligence artificielle progresse (人工智能正在进步).
秋天
A1autumn; fall
蔚蓝
A2azure; sky blue