Meaning
洞穴 refers to a natural hollow space in rock or earth, typically with an opening to the surface. It encompasses caves of all sizes, from small grottos to large caverns. The term is commonly used in geographical, archaeological, and everyday contexts when discussing natural formations or dwelling places.
Usage
This is a formal, standard term used in both written and spoken Mandarin. It appears frequently in nature documentaries, geography texts, and archaeological discussions. In casual conversation, people might simply say 洞 (dòng) for smaller caves, but 洞穴 is preferred when emphasizing the geological feature or when being more precise.
Examples
- 01考古学家在这个洞穴里发现了古代人类的遗迹。.Archaeologists discovered ancient human remains in this cave.
- 02这座山有很多洞穴，是蝙蝠的栖息地。, .This mountain has many caves that serve as habitats for bats.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个洞穴
- 座一座大洞穴
Common collocations
- 探索洞穴to explore caves
- 洞穴探险cave exploration, spelunking
- 天然洞穴natural cave
- 居住在洞穴里to live in a cave
Origin
Both characters relate to hollows or openings. 洞 originally depicted water flowing through a hole, while 穴 shows a dwelling under a roof. Together they form a compound emphasizing the hollow, enclosed nature of a cave.