动土 (dòng tǔ) — (of construction) to break ground, to start building
Definition
Literally 'move the earth,' 动土 means to break ground for construction — a fixed phrase rooted in the traditional belief that disturbing soil needs an auspicious day (see 仪式, 破土).
verb
(of construction) to break groundto start building
Examples
- 动土。Xīn xué xiào míng tiān jǔ xíng dòng tǔ yí shì.The new school will hold a ground-breaking ceremony tomorrow.
- ，。Zhè kuài dì yǐ jīng dòng guò yí cì tǔ, dàn hòu lái tíng gōng le.This plot has already had ground broken once, but construction stopped later.
- ，。Gōng rén shuō hái méi dòng tǔ, yào děng jí rì.The workers said they haven't broken ground yet; they are waiting for an auspicious day.
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