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出土 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
出土chūtǔto dig upHSK 7, unknown, 8 strokes, rank #45596, Very Hard
出土chūtǔto appear in an excavationHSK 7, unknown, 8 strokes, rank #45596, Very Hard
出土chūtǔunearthedHSK 7, unknown, 8 strokes, rank #45596, Very Hard
出土chūtǔto come up out of the groundHSK 7, unknown, 8 strokes, rank #45596, Very Hard
chūtǔ(chu1tu3)chu tu T1
  1. 1to dig up
  2. 2to appear in an excavation
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March 24, 2026

出土chūtǔ(chu1tu3)

出土 (chū tǔ) refers to the action of digging something up from the ground, often used in archaeological contexts. It implies the discovery of artifacts or fossils that have been buried and are now revealed through excavation. This term is commonly associated with historical and cultural findings, highlighting its significance in understanding the past.

Strokes8Frequency#45596DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The term 出土 is commonly used in discussions about significant archaeological findings in China, such as the Terracotta Army, which was famously unearthed in Xi'an, showcasing the rich history of Chinese civilization.

Memory tip

Imagine a treasure hunter (出) who is excitedly digging (土) in the ground to unearth hidden treasures. The character 出 looks like someone emerging from a hole, while 土 represents soil, helping you remember that the action involves coming out from the earth.

Meanings of 出土

chūtǔ(chu1tu3)
1to dig up
2to appear in an excavation
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About 出土

出土Simplified
8Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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Podcast: 出土

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AI study notes for 出土

Quick Contrast

出土 (chūtǔ) vs 发掘 (fājué) — use 出土 when emphasizing the act of uncovering something already buried, while 发掘 focuses more on the broader process of excavation and exploration.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 出土 with other similar terms; it specifically refers to the act of unearthing. This term is generally used in formal contexts, especially in archaeology, and is often paired with words like 文物 (wénwù, cultural relics) or 化石 (huàshí, fossils). Ensure proper pronunciation of both syllables, particularly with the first tone in 出.

HSK Study Tips

While 出土 is not an HSK vocabulary word, understanding it can enhance your comprehension of discussions related to history and archaeology, often found in HSK 4 and 5 materials. Focus on the components of the characters to grasp their meaning better.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 出土 with 出来 (chūlái), which means 'to come out' in a more general sense. For example, saying '我出土了' (wǒ chūtǔ le) instead of '我挖掘了' (wǒ wājué le) when referring to digging is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 出土

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Component characters

出chūto go out
HSK 25 strokes凵
View full entry
土tǔearth
HSK 43 strokes土
View full entry

How to say to dig up in Chinese

“to dig up” in Chinese is出土chūtǔ

出土 (chū tǔ) refers to the action of digging something up from the ground, often used in archaeological contexts. It implies the discovery of artifacts or fossils that have been buried and are now revealed through excavation. This term is commonly associated with historical and cultural findings, highlighting its significance in understanding the past.

When to use 出土

Be careful not to confuse 出土 with other similar terms; it specifically refers to the act of unearthing. This term is generally used in formal contexts, especially in archaeology, and is often paired with words like 文物 (wénwù, cultural relics) or 化石 (huàshí, fossils). Ensure proper pronunciation of both syllables, particularly with the first tone in 出.

出土 or something close to it

出土 (chūtǔ) vs 发掘 (fājué) — use 出土 when emphasizing the act of uncovering something already buried, while 发掘 focuses more on the broader process of excavation and exploration.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 出土 with 出来 (chūlái), which means 'to come out' in a more general sense. For example, saying '我出土了' (wǒ chūtǔ le) instead of '我挖掘了' (wǒ wājué le) when referring to digging is incorrect.

Write 出土

出
土

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Frequently asked questions about 出土

It means 'to dig up' or 'to be unearthed', often in an archaeological context.

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