Drought signifies a severe and extended period of water scarcity due to insufficient rainfall.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A prolonged lack of rainfall causing water shortage.
- Impacts agriculture, environment, and human life.
- A serious natural phenomenon.
Overview
干旱（gān hàn）是一个名词，指的是长时间内降雨量显著低于正常水平，从而导致水资源严重不足的自然现象。它不仅仅是天气干燥，更是一种持续性的水资源短缺状态，会对地理环境、动植物生存以及人类社会活动产生广泛而深远的影响。干旱的程度和持续时间各不相同，从轻微的旱情到毁灭性的特大干旱都有可能发生。
作为名词，‘干旱’通常与‘发生’、‘出现’、‘导致’、‘造成’等动词搭配使用。它也可以被形容词修饰，如‘严重干旱’、‘长期干旱’、‘持续干旱’等。在描述受影响的地区或领域时，常说‘XX地区发生干旱’或‘干旱影响了XX’。
干旱这个词最常出现在关于天气、农业、环境、水资源管理以及灾害新闻的报道中。例如，在讨论农作物歉收的原因时，常常会提到干旱；在描述河流湖泊水位下降时，也会用干旱来解释；在制定水资源保护政策时，干旱也是重要的考量因素。
与‘干旱’（gān hàn）相似的词语包括‘旱灾’（hàn zāi）和‘枯竭’（kū jié）。‘旱灾’更侧重于干旱带来的灾害性后果，强调其对人类社会和经济的负面影响，通常指由干旱引起的损失。而‘枯竭’则更广泛，可以指任何东西（如水源、资源、精力等）的耗尽或枯萎，不一定由降雨量少引起，但干旱常常会导致水源‘枯竭’。
Examples
由于长时间的干旱，今年的收成很不好。
everydayDue to the prolonged drought, the harvest this year is poor.
气象部门预测，未来几个月我国部分地区仍将面临严重的干旱风险。
formalThe meteorological department predicts that some areas of our country will continue to face severe drought risks in the coming months.
这鬼天气，都旱成什么样了，河都快没水了！
informalThis darn weather, it's so dry, the river is almost out of water!
研究表明，气候变化可能加剧区域性干旱的频率和强度。
academicResearch indicates that climate change may exacerbate the frequency and intensity of regional droughts.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
抗旱救灾
fight drought and relieve disaster
旱季
dry season
十年九旱
drought in nine out of ten years (a region prone to drought)
Often Confused With
'枯水期' specifically refers to the period when river or lake water levels are naturally low, usually during the dry season, while '干旱' is a broader term for a prolonged lack of rainfall leading to water shortage, which can occur outside of the typical dry season.
'干燥' simply means dry, referring to low humidity or lack of moisture in the air or on surfaces. '干旱' implies a more severe and prolonged state of water deficiency affecting a larger area and causing significant problems.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term '干旱' is a formal and descriptive word used in news, scientific reports, and official communications. While it can be understood in casual conversation, more informal expressions might be used to describe dry weather. It's important to use '干旱' when referring to the serious issue of prolonged water shortage.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse '干旱' (drought) with '干燥' (dry). Remember that '干旱' implies a severe, long-term water shortage, often with significant consequences, whereas '干燥' is a more general term for being dry. Also, avoid using '干旱' to describe simply a hot day; it refers to a lack of water over time.
Tips
Understand Drought's Impact
Drought is more than just dry weather; it's a critical water shortage affecting many aspects of life.
Recognize Drought Signs
Be aware of signs like low river levels, dry land, and water restrictions, which indicate drought conditions.
Water is Life
In many cultures, water is revered. Drought is seen as a severe test, often leading to prayers or rituals for rain.
Word Origin
The word '干旱' is composed of two characters. '干' (gān) means dry, and '旱' (hàn) specifically refers to drought or dryness caused by lack of rain. Together, they clearly describe the condition of being dry due to insufficient rainfall.
Cultural Context
In agricultural societies, drought has historically been a major concern, often linked to famine and hardship. Many traditional cultures have rituals and beliefs associated with rain and drought, reflecting its profound impact on survival and well-being.
Memory Tip
Imagine a cracked, dry riverbed ('干') due to a lack of rain ('旱'). This visual emphasizes the severe water shortage associated with drought.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions下雨少只是一个描述天气现象的词，而干旱则是一个更严重、持续更久的状态。干旱意味着长时间降雨量远低于正常值，导致水资源极度匮乏，对生态和生活产生显著影响。
干旱会严重影响农业生产，导致农作物减产甚至绝收。同时，它还会造成河流湖泊干涸、地下水位下降，影响饮用水供应和生态系统的平衡，甚至可能引发森林火灾。
应对干旱需要综合措施，包括节约用水、发展抗旱农作物、修建水利设施（如水库）、优化水资源配置以及加强气象监测预警等。
干旱本身是一种自然现象，但人类活动（如过度砍伐森林、不合理灌溉、气候变化等）可能会加剧干旱的发生频率和严重程度。
Test Yourself
今年的夏天异常炎热，而且长时间没有下雨，导致许多地方出现了严重的______。
根据句意“长时间没有下雨，导致许多地方出现了严重的______”，描述的是缺水现象，所以用‘干旱’最合适。
下列哪个选项最能描述“干旱”？
‘干旱’的核心意思是长时间降雨量不足，进而导致水资源短缺。
请用“干旱”、“影响”、“农业”、“严重”组成一个句子。
“干旱严重影响农业”是一个主谓宾结构清晰、符合逻辑的句子，说明了干旱对农业造成的严重后果。
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Summary
Drought signifies a severe and extended period of water scarcity due to insufficient rainfall.
- A prolonged lack of rainfall causing water shortage.
- Impacts agriculture, environment, and human life.
- A serious natural phenomenon.
Understand Drought's Impact
Drought is more than just dry weather; it's a critical water shortage affecting many aspects of life.
Recognize Drought Signs
Be aware of signs like low river levels, dry land, and water restrictions, which indicate drought conditions.
Water is Life
In many cultures, water is revered. Drought is seen as a severe test, often leading to prayers or rituals for rain.
Examples
4 of 4由于长时间的干旱，今年的收成很不好。
Due to the prolonged drought, the harvest this year is poor.
气象部门预测，未来几个月我国部分地区仍将面临严重的干旱风险。
The meteorological department predicts that some areas of our country will continue to face severe drought risks in the coming months.
这鬼天气，都旱成什么样了，河都快没水了！
This darn weather, it's so dry, the river is almost out of water!
研究表明，气候变化可能加剧区域性干旱的频率和强度。
Research indicates that climate change may exacerbate the frequency and intensity of regional droughts.
