沙尘 (shā chén) — sand and dust (airborne particles, especially in sandstorms)

Definition

Refers specifically to airborne sand and dust stirred up by wind, the substance that makes sandstorms (沙尘暴) and dusty weather. Distinct from 灰尘, which is indoor settled household dust.

noun
sand and dust (airborne particles, especially in sandstorms)
Measure word · 场

Examples

  • 沙尘，。
    Jīn tiān shā chén hěn dà, chū mén zuì hǎo dài kǒu zhào.
    There's a lot of sand and dust today; it's best to wear a mask when going out.
  • 沙尘。
    Běi fāng chūn tiān jīng cháng yǒu shā chén tiān qì.
    Northern China often has dusty weather in spring.
  • 。
    Yì chǎng shā chén bào ràng zhěng gè chéng shì dōu huī méng méng de.
    A sandstorm made the whole city gray and hazy.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

沙shāsand
尘chéndust

沙 means sand and 尘 means dust, together naming airborne gritty particles.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

沙 puts 少 (dots) beside 水 (water), showing sand on a shoreline.

Open 沙 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

In 尘, 小 (small) sits above 土 (earth), giving the idea of tiny bits of earth.

Open 尘 →

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