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地 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
ground; earth; the Earth; soil; land; field; placeHSK 2, n, 6 strokes, radical 土, Easy
deground; earth; the Earth; soil; land; field; placeHSK 2, n, 6 strokes, radical 土, Easy
(di4)
primary
T4
  1. 1ground; earth; the Earth; soil; land; field; place
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April 28, 2026
(di4)

The character 地 (dì) primarily means 'ground' or 'earth,' referring to both the physical soil and the broader concept of land or place. It is commonly used in expressions related to geography, real estate, and the environment, and can also denote a location in a more abstract sense.

Strokes6RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 地 is deeply tied to agriculture and land stewardship, reflecting the historical dependence on farming and the importance of land in traditional Chinese society. Festivals such as the Spring Festival often celebrate the fertility of the land.

Memory Tip

Visualize a vast landscape of fertile soil (地) under your feet, representing both the ground and the Earth itself. The character looks like a flat surface with a horizontal line on top, like a roof over land, reminding you of the earth below.

Meanings of 地

(di4)
primary
1ground; earth; the Earth; soil; land; field; place
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About 地

Simplified
6Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2ElementaryCEFRA1

Podcast: 地

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AI Study Notes for 地

Quick Contrast

场所 (chǎngsuǒ, place) vs 地方 (dìfāng, area) — use 地 (dì) for a more specific reference to ground or earth.

Memory Mnemonic

Visualize a vast landscape of fertile soil (地) under your feet, representing both the ground and the Earth itself. The character looks like a flat surface with a horizontal line on top, like a roof over land, reminding you of the earth below.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 地 (dì) with 底 (dǐ), which means 'bottom.' 地 is often used in combination with other characters to form common phrases like '土地' (tǔdì - land) or '地点' (dìdiǎn - place). Remember to use the correct tone (dì) to avoid misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

While 地 is not explicitly categorized under HSK levels, it connects well with other foundational words related to location and nature, such as 天 (tiān - sky) and 水 (shuǐ - water). Focus on its usage in phrases and context to deepen understanding.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 地 is deeply tied to agriculture and land stewardship, reflecting the historical dependence on farming and the importance of land in traditional Chinese society. Festivals such as the Spring Festival often celebrate the fertility of the land.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly pronounce 地 as dǐ (the bottom), instead of dì (ground). For example, saying '我在地' (wǒ zài dǐ) would incorrectly imply 'I am at the bottom,' rather than 'I am on the ground.'

AI-enhanced 2026-04-28

Pronunciation of 地

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Cultural Notes for 地

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of 地 is deeply tied to agriculture and land stewardship, reflecting the historical dependence on farming and the importance of land in traditional Chinese society. Festivals such as the Spring Festival often celebrate the fertility of the land.

Frequently Asked Questions about 地

Common phrases include '土地' (tǔdì - land), '地点' (dìdiǎn - place), and '地球' (dìqiú - Earth).