岛

㠀/島

dǎo

④ + 山

HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

dǎo (noun) island

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 山 represents the meaning and 鸟 represents the sound. Simplified form of 島.

About

The character 岛 (dǎo), meaning "island", is a phono-semantic compound. It combines the phonetic component 鸟 (niǎo, bird) with the semantic radical 山 (shān, mountain) at its base. In its traditional form 島, the full character for bird 鳥 sits atop the mountain radical, visually evoking a mountainous landmass rising from the sea, a resting place for migratory birds. This structure reflects the geographic reality that many islands are essentially the exposed peaks of underwater mountains.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是一个美丽的岛。

Zhè shì yīgè měilì de dǎo.

This is a beautiful island.

我们坐船去那个岛。

Wǒmen zuò chuán qù nàgè dǎo.

We take a boat to that island.

海岛上的风景很迷人。

Hǎidǎo shàng de fēngjǐng hěn mírén.

The scenery on the island is very charming.

这个岛屿有许多独特的动植物。

Zhège dǎoyǔ yǒu xǔduō dútè de dòng zhíwù.

This island has many unique plants and animals.

如果想去那座岛，必须提前预订船票。

Rúguǒ xiǎng qù nà zuò dǎo, bìxū tíqián yùdìng chuánpiào.

If you want to go to that island, you must book boat tickets in advance.

尽管那个岛很偏远，但每年还是吸引大量游客。

Jǐnguǎn nàgè dǎo hěn piānyuǎn, dàn měinián háishì xīyǐn dàliàng yóukè.

Although that island is very remote, it still attracts a large number of tourists every year.

科学家们正在研究这座岛屿的地质结构和生态系统。

Kēxuéjiāmen zhèngzài yánjiū zhè zuò dǎoyǔ de dìzhì jiégòu hé shēngtài xìtǒng.

Scientists are studying the geological structure and ecosystem of this island.

由于全球气候变暖，海平面上升，许多低洼岛屿面临被淹没的危险。

Yóuyú quánqiú qìhòu biàn nuǎn, hǎi píngmiàn shàngshēng, xǔduō dīwā dǎoyǔ miànlín bèi yānmò de wéixiǎn.

Due to global warming, sea levels are rising, and many low-lying islands face the danger of being submerged.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: ④

Component: 山

岛