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March 24, 2026
干旱(乾旱)gānhàn(gan1han4)
干旱 (gān hàn) refers to a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to water shortages and dry conditions. It is commonly used in discussions about agriculture, climate change, and environmental issues, emphasizing the impact on ecosystems and human activities.
Frequency#17799DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In China, droughts can significantly affect agricultural output, especially in regions like the north, where water scarcity is a pressing issue. The term is often associated with government responses and policy measures to manage water resources.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'dry' (干) and 'arid' (旱) landscape where the sun blazes down, creating a parched earth. The pronunciation 'gān hàn' sounds like 'gone hand,' as if your water supply has 'gone' and left you 'hand' in hand with thirst.
Meanings of 干旱
gānhàn(gan1han4)
1drought
2arid
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 干旱
干旱Simplified
乾旱Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#17799Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 干旱
Podcast: 干旱
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AI Study Notes for 干旱
Quick Contrast
干枯 (gān kū) refers to something that has dried up or withered, while 干旱 (gān hàn) specifically describes a lack of rainfall over a period of time.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'dry' (干) and 'arid' (旱) landscape where the sun blazes down, creating a parched earth. The pronunciation 'gān hàn' sounds like 'gone hand,' as if your water supply has 'gone' and left you 'hand' in hand with thirst.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone; 干 (gān) has a high level tone, while 旱 (hàn) is a falling tone. This term is often used in formal contexts like meteorology reports or environmental discussions. A common collocation is 干旱地区 (gān hàn dì qū), meaning 'drought-stricken area.'
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 干旱 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to weather and natural disasters. Students should focus on using it within context, especially in discussions about climate and environmental policies.
Cultural Note
In China, droughts can significantly affect agricultural output, especially in regions like the north, where water scarcity is a pressing issue. The term is often associated with government responses and policy measures to manage water resources.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 干旱 with 干燥. For instance, saying '这个地方很干燥' (This place is very drought) is incorrect. Instead, use '这个地方很干旱' to describe drought conditions.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 干旱
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Grammar Patterns of 干旱
干旱 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 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 5
Complete the Sentence
那年由于____,几百头羊突然死去.
Hundreds of sheep perished that year because of drought.
Example Sentences for 干旱 (6)
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1
那年由于干旱,几百头羊突然死去.
nà nián yóu yú gān hàn, , jī bǎi tóu yáng tū rán sǐ.
Hundreds of sheep perished that year because of drought.
2
小路因干旱变得又干又滑。
xiǎo lù yīn gān hàn biàn dé yòu gān yòu huá。
The path was dry and slithery from the drought.
3
无树的荒芜干旱土地
wú shù de huāng wú gān hàn tǔ dì
treeless and desiccated soil
4
报道说,如果西班牙的干旱情况在今年秋得不到缓解, 当地的饮用水将被限量供应.
bào dào shuō, , rú guǒ xī bān yá de gān hàn qíng kuàng zài jīn nián qiū dé bù dào huǎn, jiě , dāng dì de yǐn yòng shuǐ jiāng bèi xiàn liáng.
If the drought continues through autumn, water may need to be rationed.
This would help the families to survive the drought without undue suffering.
6
长期的干旱使所有的井都干涸了.
cháng qī de gān hàn shǐ suǒ yǒu de jǐng dū gān hé le.
The long drought dried up all the wells.
Cultural Notes for 干旱
🏮Cultural insight
In China, droughts can significantly affect agricultural output, especially in regions like the north, where water scarcity is a pressing issue. The term is often associated with government responses and policy measures to manage water resources.
Frequently Asked Questions about 干旱
干旱 refers specifically to drought conditions, while 干燥 refers to something being dry in general, like dry air.
Yes, it can describe a lack of resources or creativity, for example, '他的创意干旱' (His creativity is dry).
You can remember it by thinking of 'gone hand' to visualize the absence of water.
