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March 24, 2026
地势(地勢)dìshì(di4shi4)
地势 (di4 shi4) refers to the physical characteristics of the land, including its elevation, slope, and contours. It is commonly used in geographical and environmental contexts to describe how the terrain affects climate, agriculture, and urban development.
Frequency#26570DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of 地势 is significant in traditional Chinese philosophy, particularly in Feng Shui, where the terrain's shape is believed to influence energy flow and harmony in living environments. Understanding 地势 can thus provide insights into both natural landscapes and cultural practices.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant map spread out before you, with hills and valleys highlighted in vibrant colors. The character 地 (dì) represents 'earth' and has a ground-like shape, while 势 (shì) resembles a rising slope. Together, they evoke the image of the land's shape and form, helping you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 地势
dìshì(di4shi4)
1terrain
2topography relief
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About 地势
地势Simplified
地勢Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#26570Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7TOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 地势
Podcast: 地势
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AI Study Notes for 地势
Quick Contrast
地形 (dìxíng) refers specifically to the physical features and shape of the land's surface, while 地势 (dìshì) emphasizes the elevation and slope characteristics.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant map spread out before you, with hills and valleys highlighted in vibrant colors. The character 地 (dì) represents 'earth' and has a ground-like shape, while 势 (shì) resembles a rising slope. Together, they evoke the image of the land's shape and form, helping you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 地势 with 地形 (dì xíng), which also means 'topography' but emphasizes different aspects. This term is more formal and is typically used in academic or professional contexts rather than casual conversations. Common collocations include '地势起伏' (the terrain undulates) and '地势低洼' (low-lying terrain).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 地势 is essential for discussing advanced topics related to geography or environmental science. Students should focus on understanding its usage in context and how it relates to other terms like 地形 (dì xíng) and 地貌 (dì mào), which also pertain to landforms.
Cultural Note
The concept of 地势 is significant in traditional Chinese philosophy, particularly in Feng Shui, where the terrain's shape is believed to influence energy flow and harmony in living environments. Understanding 地势 can thus provide insights into both natural landscapes and cultural practices.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 地势 with 地形, leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我喜欢这个地形的地势' (I like the terrain of this terrain) is incorrect; it should be '我喜欢这个地势的地形' (I like the topography of this terrain).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 地势
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Grammar Patterns of 地势
地势 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 2 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
注意那平坦的____和肥沃的红土地。
Notice the flatness and the rich, red earth.
Example Sentences for 地势 (8)
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1
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.
2
承包商所建房屋的式样,有几分要看地势而定.
chéng bāo shāng suǒ jiàn fáng wū de shì yàng, , yǒu jī fēn yào kàn dì shì ér.
The style of house the contractor builds depends partly on the lay of the land.
3
地势东高西低, 东 、 南 、 北三面环山.
dì shì dōng gāo xī dī, ,、 dōng、 、 nán 、 běi sān.
East the topography Gao Xidi, east, south, north three around a mountain.
4
科西嘉岛腹地地势高企，环境荒芜。
kē xī jiā dǎo fù dì dì shì gāo qǐ， ， huán jìng huāng。
The house is in an elevated position, overlooking the town.
6
乡村起伏不平的地势使人们摆脱了城市刻板的横平竖直景象。
xiāng cūn qǐ fú bù píng de dì shì shǐ rén mén bǎi tuō le chéng shì kè bǎn de héng píng shù zhí jǐng xiàng。
The undulating planes of the countryside provide relief from the hard horizontals and verticals of the urban scene.
7
只有熟知这一带地势的人才能择路穿行那片矮树林.
zhī yǒu shú zhī zhè yī dài dì shì de rén cái néng zé lù chuān háng nà piàn ǎi shù lín.
Only someone knowing the terrain intimately could have picked his way through all that underbrush.
8
这一带地形平坦而多沼泽,再往远去地势隆起,形成矮山陵地.
zhè yī dài dì xíng píng tǎn ér duō zhǎo zé, , zài wǎng yuǎn qù dì shì lóng, qǐ , xíng chéng ǎi shān.
The land is flat and marshy before rising to a spine of low hills.
Cultural Notes for 地势
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of 地势 is significant in traditional Chinese philosophy, particularly in Feng Shui, where the terrain's shape is believed to influence energy flow and harmony in living environments. Understanding 地势 can thus provide insights into both natural landscapes and cultural practices.
Frequently Asked Questions about 地势
地势 refers to the overall physical characteristics of the land, while 地形 focuses more on the specific shapes and forms of the terrain.
It's more suitable for formal contexts, such as academic discussions about geography, rather than casual conversations.
Make sure to use the fourth tone for both characters: dì (地) and shì (势), emphasizing the downward pitch.
