地基 (dì jī) — foundation (of a building); ground base for con… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Literally 'ground base' — the underground foundation that supports a building, as distinct from the visible 基础 (base, groundwork, or figurative basis). Used in both literal construction and figurative contexts like 打下地基 ('lay the groundwork').

noun

foundation (of a building)ground base for construction

Measure word · 个

Examples

。
Zhè dòng lóu de dì jī dǎ dé hěn shēn.
The foundation of this building is laid very deep.
，。
Dì jī rú guǒ bù wěn, fáng zi hěn róng yì dǎo tā.
If the foundation is unstable, the building can easily collapse.
。
Shī gōng duì zhèng zài zuò dì jī.
The construction team is laying the foundation.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

地dìground

The parts 地 'ground' and 基 'base' combine to mean the supporting base of a building.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

土也地

Meaning part形符xíngfú

土土tǔearth

Sound part声符shēngfú

也

也yě地dì

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

地 is built from 土 (earth) and 也, which gives its sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

其土基

Meaning part形符xíngfú

土土tǔearth

Sound part声符shēngfú

其

其qí基jī

Same sound today

The lower 土 means earth, and the upper 其 gives the sound; together they form the idea of a foundation of earth.

Appears in

Buildings & Structures

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