Definitions
(noun)
earth; soil; clay; dirt
(adjective)
local; indigenous
(adjective)
crude; unsophisticated
Etymology
Depicts a lump of dirt on the ground.
About
The character "土" originated as a pictograph representing a mound of earth or soil, with its early form depicting a simplified shape of ground or an altar. Its structure, typically comprising a horizontal line above a vertical base, has maintained this essential configuration over time. Etymologically, it first denoted physical soil or land, but its meaning gradually extended to include concepts such as territory, locality, and native place, while also acquiring connotations of rustic or unsophisticated qualities in certain contexts. As a component, it functions as a radical in numerous characters related to earth, construction, and geographical features, reflecting its enduring semantic role in the language.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这里的土很肥沃。
农民在土地上耕种。
土豆是一种常见的蔬菜。
大风扬起了地上的尘土。
这件衣服的设计有点土气。
水土流失是一个环境问题。
他来自一个偏僻的土家族村庄。
在黄土高原上，人们建造了独特的民居。