noun HSK 5
rock · cliff · crag
Meaning
岩 refers to rock formations, especially large rocks, cliffs, or rocky outcroppings found in mountains or along coastlines. It emphasizes the solid, geological nature of rock as a natural formation rather than small stones or pebbles.
Usage
岩 is commonly used in compound words related to geology, mountaineering, and geography. It appears frequently in terms like 岩石 (rock/stone) and 火山岩 (volcanic rock). While it can stand alone in literary or formal contexts, it's more typically found as part of compound words in modern spoken Chinese.
Examples
- 01这座山的岩石非常坚硬。.The rocks of this mountain are very hard.
- 02他周末喜欢去攀岩。.He likes to go rock climbing on weekends.
Measure words
- 块一块岩石
Common collocations
- 火山岩volcanic rock
- 花岗岩granite
- 攀岩rock climbing
- 岩洞cave, cavern
Origin
The character combines 山 (mountain) at the top with 石 (stone) at the bottom, logically representing rock formations found in mountains.