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泥土 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
泥土nítǔearthHSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #8200, Very Hard
泥土nítǔsoilHSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #8200, Very Hard
泥土nítǔmudHSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #8200, Very Hard
泥土nítǔclayHSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #8200, Very Hard
nítǔ(ni2tu3)ni tu T2
  1. 1earth
  2. 2soil
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March 24, 2026

泥土nítǔ(ni2tu3)

泥土 (nítǔ) refers to earth, soil, mud, or clay, emphasizing the natural material found on the ground. It is commonly used in contexts related to agriculture, construction, and the environment. The term conveys a sense of the earth's raw and unrefined state, often associated with growth and the foundation of life.

Strokes11Frequency#8200DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese agriculture, soil quality is vital for crop production, and the concept of healthy soil is deeply embedded in farming practices. The idea of nurturing the earth is also central to Chinese philosophies like Daoism.

Memory tip

Imagine a muddy field where farmers grow crops. The character 泥 (ní) looks like a splash of mud, while 土 (tǔ) resembles a small mound of earth. Together, they evoke the image of soil—essential for farming and growth.

Meanings of 泥土

nítǔ(ni2tu3)
1earth
2soil
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 泥土

泥土Simplified
11Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 泥土

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AI Study Notes for 泥土

Quick Contrast

土 (tǔ) vs 泥 (ní) — use 泥土 when referring specifically to soil or earth mixed with water, while 土 is a broader term for earth or ground without the implication of moisture.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 泥土 with other similar terms like 土地 (tǔdì), which specifically means land or territory. 泥土 is more informal and often used in everyday conversations about gardening or nature. Proper pronunciation is key; ensure you use the correct tones to avoid misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

泥土 is not an HSK vocabulary word but connects to HSK level 2 and 3 terms related to nature and environment, such as 土 (tǔ) and 农业 (nóngyè), meaning agriculture. Students should focus on recognizing the character components and practicing its pronunciation.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 泥土 with 地面 (dìmiàn), which means ground or surface. An incorrect usage would be saying '泥土 is the surface of the ground' instead of '泥土 refers to the soil or mud beneath the surface.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 泥土

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Component Characters

泥nímud
HSK 68 strokes氵
View full entry
土tǔearth
HSK 43 strokes土
View full entry

How to say earth in Chinese

“earth” in Chinese is泥土nítǔ

泥土 (nítǔ) refers to earth, soil, mud, or clay, emphasizing the natural material found on the ground. It is commonly used in contexts related to agriculture, construction, and the environment. The term conveys a sense of the earth's raw and unrefined state, often associated with growth and the foundation of life.

When to use 泥土

Be careful not to confuse 泥土 with other similar terms like 土地 (tǔdì), which specifically means land or territory. 泥土 is more informal and often used in everyday conversations about gardening or nature. Proper pronunciation is key; ensure you use the correct tones to avoid misunderstandings.

泥土 or something close to it

土 (tǔ) vs 泥 (ní) — use 泥土 when referring specifically to soil or earth mixed with water, while 土 is a broader term for earth or ground without the implication of moisture.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 泥土 with 地面 (dìmiàn), which means ground or surface. An incorrect usage would be saying '泥土 is the surface of the ground' instead of '泥土 refers to the soil or mud beneath the surface.'

Write 泥土

泥
土

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Frequently Asked Questions about 泥土

泥土 specifically refers to mud or soil that is damp, while 土 is a more general term for earth or ground.

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