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森林 (sēn lín) — forest

Definition

森林 is a large forest — a vast, dense area of trees. 树林 is smaller and more like a wood or grove.

noun
forest
Measure word · 片

Examples

  • 森林。
    Zhè piàn sēn lín lǐ yǒu hěn duō dòng wù.
    There are many animals in this forest.
  • 森林。
    Wǒ men zuó tiān qù sēn lín sàn bù le.
    We went for a walk in the forest yesterday.
  • 森林。
    Bǎo hù sēn lín duì huán jìng hěn zhòng yào.
    Protecting forests is very important for the environment.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

森sēndense trees
林línwoods

森 and 林 both evoke trees and woods, so together they mean a dense forest.

Characters in this word

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

The form 森 stacks three tree-like shapes to show many trees in a forest.

Open 森 →

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

林 is made of two 木 (tree) placed side by side, showing many trees together, hence a forest.

Open 林 →
Appears in
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