平原 (píng yuán) — plain (flat land) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

平原 is a flat landform — large, low-elevation terrain, distinguished from the higher 高原 (plateau) and the grass-covered 草原 (prairie).

noun

plain (flat land)

Measure word · 个

平原。
Zhè piàn píng yuán shì hé zhǒng xiǎo mài.
This plain is suitable for growing wheat.
平原。
píng yuán Shàng de hé liú hěn màn.
The river on the plain flows slowly.
平原。
Fēi jī fēi guò guǎng kuò de píng yuán.
The plane flew over the vast plain.

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.

“平” describes flatness, and “原” describes open field; together they mean a flat plain.

Characters in this word

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

The origin is uncertain. One explanation combines 八 (division) and 亏 (exhaled air) to show smooth speech.

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

原 combines 泉 (spring) and 厂 (cliff), picturing a spring bursting from a cliff-side, which gives the sense of origin or source.

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