盆地 (pén dì) — basin (geography); depression | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A geography term for a 'basin' — a low-lying area of land surrounded by higher ground (like a big bowl). The first character 盆 alone means a basin-shaped container, which is a useful memory hook.

noun

basin (geography)depression

Measure word · 个

Examples

盆地。
Kē xué jiā zài zhè ge pén dì fā xiàn le shí yóu.
Scientists discovered oil in this basin.
盆地。
Zhè ge pén dì de sì zhōu dōu shì gāo shān.
This basin is surrounded by high mountains on all sides.
盆地。
pén dì De dì xíng xiàng yí gè dà wǎn.
The terrain of a basin is like a big bowl.

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.

盆 is a basin, and 地 is land, so together they denote basin-like land.

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.

分皿盆

Meaning part形符xíngfú

皿皿mǐn

Sound part声符shēngfú

分

分fēn盆pén(r)

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

盆 pairs 分, which gives the sound, with 皿, a vessel, to indicate a basin or tub.

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.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 HSK 2.0 Level 6 Geography & Landforms

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