Meaning
A dragon boat is a long, narrow boat decorated with a dragon head and tail, traditionally used in Chinese boat racing festivals. The most famous use is during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), where teams paddle these boats in competitive races to commemorate the poet Qu Yuan.
Usage
This term is most commonly heard around the Dragon Boat Festival (fifth day of the fifth lunar month). Dragon boat racing has become an international sport, so you'll hear 龙舟 used in both traditional cultural contexts and modern sporting contexts. The term is always used to refer to the specific type of boat, not just any boat.
Examples
- 01端午节的时候，我们去河边看划龙舟比赛。, .During the Dragon Boat Festival, we went to the riverside to watch the dragon boat races.
- 02他是龙舟队的队员，每天都要训练。, .He is a member of the dragon boat team and has to train every day.
Characters
Measure words
- 条一条龙舟
- 艘一艘龙舟
Common collocations
- 龙舟比赛dragon boat race
- 划龙舟to paddle/row a dragon boat
- 龙舟队dragon boat team
- 龙舟节Dragon Boat Festival
Origin
The term combines 龙 (dragon), a powerful symbol in Chinese culture representing strength and good fortune, with 舟 (boat), a classical term for watercraft. These boats were originally used in ancient rituals to appease river dragons and ensure good harvests.