Sand is a granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Tiny particles formed by weathered rocks.
- Commonly found on beaches and in deserts.
- Essential ingredient in construction materials.
Overview
- 1概述：沙子（shāzi）是自然界中极其常见的物质，由岩石经过长期的风化、侵蚀和搬运作用形成。它是颗粒状的，大小通常在0.0625毫米到2毫米之间。2) 用法：作为名词，它既可以指代大面积的自然环境（如沙漠），也可以指代具体的建筑原料（如水泥沙浆）。在口语中，它常与量词“粒”或“堆”搭配使用。3) 常见语境：最常出现在旅游、建筑施工以及儿童游戏（如沙滩玩沙）的语境中。例如，在海边度假时，人们会说“踩在沙子上很舒服”；在工地，沙子则是与水泥混合的重要材料。4) 同义词辨析：与“土壤”不同，沙子的颗粒更大，透水性强，不适合种植大多数植物；与“尘土”相比，沙子的颗粒感更明显，通常不作为空气污染物出现。
Examples
海滩上的沙子很软。
everydayThe sand on the beach is very soft.
建筑工程需要大量的沙子。
formalConstruction projects require a large amount of sand.
我的鞋里进沙子了。
informalI got some sand in my shoes.
沙子是沉积岩风化的产物。
academicSand is a product of sedimentary rock weathering.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
沙滩
beach
沙漠
desert
沙尘暴
sandstorm
Often Confused With
Refers to dust particles found in the air or on surfaces indoors. It is much finer and lighter than sand.
Refers to soil which contains nutrients and organic matter. Sand is inorganic and lacks nutrients for plants.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '沙子' is the standard noun for sand in daily life. It is neutral in register and used in both spoken and written Chinese. When referring to industrial or geological contexts, sometimes just '沙' is used.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '沙子' with '灰尘'. Remember that '沙子' implies a granular texture you can feel, while '灰尘' is microscopic dust. Also, avoid using '沙子' as a countable noun without a measure word.
Tips
Use measure words for sand
Remember to use measure words like '一粒' (one grain) or '一堆' (a pile) to describe sand accurately. This makes your Chinese sound much more natural.
Avoid confusing sand with dust
Do not use '沙子' to describe air pollution dust. Use '灰尘' (huīchén) for dust found in houses or air.
Desert culture in China
China has vast deserts like the Gobi. The word '沙' is often used in place names to indicate arid, sandy regions.
Word Origin
The character '沙' consists of '氵' (water) and '少' (few/small), implying tiny particles found near water. Historically, it describes the accumulation of small rock fragments.
Cultural Context
Sand is often used in Chinese literature to represent time (like an hourglass) or the vastness of the world. It is also a symbol of impermanence due to its loose nature.
Memory Tip
Imagine walking on a beach and feeling the 'shā' (sand) between your toes. The 'zi' suffix makes it a cute, common noun for this granular material.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions沙子的颗粒较大，透水性好，主要由矿物质组成。泥土包含有机质，更加细腻且保水性强，适合植物生长。
沙子是建筑业的基础材料，用于制作混凝土和砂浆。此外，它还用于玻璃制造、水过滤以及儿童游乐设施。
两者基本相同。“沙”是正式名称，而“沙子”是口语化的表达，在日常对话中更常用。
因为沙子是固体颗粒，具有摩擦力。进入眼睛后会刺激角膜和结膜，导致流泪和异物感。
Test Yourself
海滩上有许多细小的___。
海滩的主要组成部分是沙子。
以下哪项是错误的？
沙子是矿物质，不能食用。
鞋里 / 有 / 沙子 / 一点儿
标准的中文语序是地点+动词+数量+名词。
Score: /3
Summary
Sand is a granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles.
- Tiny particles formed by weathered rocks.
- Commonly found on beaches and in deserts.
- Essential ingredient in construction materials.
Use measure words for sand
Remember to use measure words like '一粒' (one grain) or '一堆' (a pile) to describe sand accurately. This makes your Chinese sound much more natural.
Avoid confusing sand with dust
Do not use '沙子' to describe air pollution dust. Use '灰尘' (huīchén) for dust found in houses or air.
Desert culture in China
China has vast deserts like the Gobi. The word '沙' is often used in place names to indicate arid, sandy regions.
Examples
4 of 4海滩上的沙子很软。
The sand on the beach is very soft.
建筑工程需要大量的沙子。
Construction projects require a large amount of sand.
我的鞋里进沙子了。
I got some sand in my shoes.
沙子是沉积岩风化的产物。
Sand is a product of sedimentary rock weathering.
