禁地 (jìn dì) — forbidden area; restricted area

Definition

A place entry is strictly forbidden — stronger than a 禁区 (which can just mean a restricted zone). Often refers to a sacred, military, or otherwise off-limits area.

noun
forbidden arearestricted area

Examples

  • 禁地，。
    Zhè lǐ shì jūn shì jìn dì, bù néng suí biàn jìn rù.
    This is a military restricted area; you cannot enter casually.
  • 禁地。
    Gǔ dài huáng gōng de jìn dì bù xǔ wài rén kào jìn.
    The forbidden areas of ancient imperial palaces were not allowed to be approached by outsiders.
  • 禁地，。
    Zhè piàn sēn lín bèi huà wéi jìn dì, jìn zhǐ shòu liè.
    This forest has been designated as a restricted area; hunting is prohibited.

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.

禁jìnforbidden
地dìplace

禁 forbidden and 地 place together name a restricted area.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
示示shìaltar
Sound part声符shēngfú
林
林lín禁jìn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

禁 has 林 above 示, an altar. The 林 part gives the sound, and the altar part connects the character to taboo or restricted matters.

Open 禁 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

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.

Open 地 →

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