Definition
石头 (shítou) is the everyday word for a stone or rock — a countable piece of hard, solid mineral. 岩石 (yánshí) is more formal and scientific, referring to rock as a geological material or formation. Use 石头 for individual stones you can pick up (一块石头); use 岩石 for bedrock, cliffs, or rock types.
noun
stonerock
Measure word · 块
Easily confused
- 码头mǎ tóulook-alikedock; pier; wharf
- 势头shì tousound-alikemomentum, driving force
Examples
- 石头，。Zhè kuài shí tou hěn yìng, kěyǐ yòng lái pū lù.This stone is very hard and can be used to pave the road.
- 石头。Tā zài hé biān jiǎn le yí kuài yuányuán de shí tou.He picked up a round stone by the river.
- 石头，。Huāyuán li yǒu hěn duō xiǎo shí tou, zǒu lù yào xiǎoxīn.There are many small stones in the garden; be careful when walking.
Browse more HSK 5 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.