Chinese word

礁石

Pronunciation

Pinyinjiāo shí

Meaning

  • nounreef

Example

海边有很多礁石，游泳要小心。hǎi biān yǒu hěn duō jiāo shí yóu yǒng yào xiǎo xīn

There are lots of reefs along the shore, so be careful when swimming.

Illustration for 礁石 (reef)

More examples

船应绕过礁石通行。chuán yīng rào guò jiāo shí tōng xíng

Ships should go around the reef to get through.

Core concept

A hard mass of rock in shallow sea water, partly visible or concealed beneath the surface.

Common phrases

  • 靠近礁石kào jìn jiāo shí

    approach the reef

  • 撞上礁石zhuàng shàng jiāo shí

    hit a reef

  • 暗藏的礁石àn cáng de jiāo shí

    hidden reef

Similar words

暗礁àn jiāo: A reef hidden below the water that can be dangerous for passing boats.
珊瑚礁shān hú jiāo: A shallow reef built up over many years from coral.
礁jiāo: A general term for a raised, shallow area in the sea made of rock or coral.

Definition in Chinese

海中或靠近海岸的岩石或岩礁，常部分露出水面或位于浅水区，航行和游泳时可能构成危险。hǎi zhōng huò kào jìn hǎi àn de yán shí huò yán jiāo cháng bù fèn lù chū shuǐ miàn huò wèi yú qián shuǐ qū háng xíng hé yóu yǒng shí kě néng gòu chéng wēi xiǎn

Word origin

礁 (jiāo, "reef") + 石 (shí, "stone") forms a compound that names a reef as a kind of stone or rock.

Usage tips

  • A map or safety notice may use this word for a feature that is easy to miss, which explains why it appears in practical talk about coastal travel and swimming.

Other meanings

  • submerged rocknoun
  • hidden reefnoun

Related words

  • 珊瑚礁shān hú jiāocoral reefnoun
  • 礁岩jiāo yánreef rocknoun

Word lists with this word