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March 24, 2026
土地tǔdì(tu3di4)
土地 (tǔ dì) refers to land or soil and can also denote territory. It is commonly used in contexts relating to agriculture, real estate, and geography, as well as in discussions about local deities or spirits associated with a specific place.
Frequency#2210DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 土地 is often associated with local gods (土地公), who are believed to protect the land and bring good fortune to those who respect it. Many rural communities hold ceremonies to honor these deities, reflecting the deep connection between land and cultural identity.
Memory Tip
Picture a farmer standing on his 土 (tǔ) with a big smile, proudly showing off the rich, dark soil beneath his feet. The character 土 looks like the ground, and when you add 地 (dì), it creates a sense of a space or area where things grow, making it easy to remember as 'land'.
Meanings of 土地
tǔdì(tu3di4)
primary
1land
2soil
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About 土地
土地Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2210Frequency Rank
片Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 土地
Podcast: 土地
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AI Study Notes for 土地
Quick Contrast
土地 (tǔdì) vs 土壤 (tǔrǎng) — use 土地 for land or territory in a broader sense, while 土壤 specifically refers to soil as a material.
Memory Mnemonic
Picture a farmer standing on his 土 (tǔ) with a big smile, proudly showing off the rich, dark soil beneath his feet. The character 土 looks like the ground, and when you add 地 (dì), it creates a sense of a space or area where things grow, making it easy to remember as 'land'.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 土地 with just 土 (tǔ), which means 'soil' on its own. 土地 is more formal and often used in legal or administrative contexts. Common collocations include 土地使用权 (land use rights) and 土地改革 (land reform).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 土地 connects with other vocabulary related to geography and property, such as 房地产 (real estate) and 土壤 (soil). Students should focus on its usage in both spoken and written contexts, especially in discussions about land rights or agriculture.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 土地 is often associated with local gods (土地公), who are believed to protect the land and bring good fortune to those who respect it. Many rural communities hold ceremonies to honor these deities, reflecting the deep connection between land and cultural identity.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 土地 in informal contexts, where 土 would suffice. For example, saying '我喜欢这土地' instead of '我喜欢这土' when referring to soil in a casual setting.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 土地
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Grammar Patterns of 土地
土地 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
For these people, land is inextricably interwoven with life itself.
9
他们说穿了就是想要一样东西，那就是土地。
tā mén shuō chuān le jiù shì xiǎng yào yī yàng dōng xī， ， nà jiù shì tǔ。
What they want boils down to just one thing. It is land.
10
注意那平坦的地势和肥沃的红土地。
zhù yì nà píng tǎn de dì shì hé féi wò de hóng tǔ dì。
Notice the flatness and the rich, red earth.
Cultural Notes for 土地
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 土地 is often associated with local gods (土地公), who are believed to protect the land and bring good fortune to those who respect it. Many rural communities hold ceremonies to honor these deities, reflecting the deep connection between land and cultural identity.
Frequently Asked Questions about 土地
土 refers specifically to soil or earth, while 土地 encompasses a broader meaning of land or territory.
Yes, it can refer to one's home or place of origin, not just physical land.
You can say '这片土地很肥沃' (This piece of land is very fertile).
