Definition
岩石 (yán shí) is a formal, scientific term for rock as a geological formation or material (e.g., types of rock, bedrock). It contrasts with the everyday word 石头 (shí tou), which refers to a stone or small rock you can pick up or see on the ground. Use 岩石 in academic, descriptive, or technical contexts, not for individual stones.
noun
rock (geological formation)
Easily confused
- 掩饰yǎn shìsound-aliketo cover up, to conceal, to mask
- 演示yǎn shìsound-aliketo demonstrate, to show (a process, function, product, etc.)
Examples
- 岩石。Zhè zuò shān zhǔyào yóu yán shí gòuchéng.This mountain is mainly composed of rock.
- 岩石。。Kēxuéjiā cóng yán shí zhōng fāxiàn le huàshí.Scientists discovered fossils in the rock.
- 岩石，。Zhè kuài yán shí fēicháng gǔlǎo, yǒu jǐ yì nián le.This rock is very old, hundreds of millions of years old.
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