Chinese word

草原

Pronunciation

Pinyincǎo yuán

Meaning

  • noungrassland

Example

我们周末去草原野餐吧。wǒ men zhōu mò qù cǎo yuán yě cān ba

Let's go to the grasslands for a picnic this weekend.

Illustration for 草原 (grassland)

More examples

孩子们在辽阔的草原上奔跑。hái zi men zài liáo kuò de cǎo yuán shàng bēn pǎo

The children are running across the vast grassland.

Core concept

A broad grassy horizon that functions as both a natural landscape and a place for grazing or outdoor activities.

Common phrases

  • 辽阔的草原liáo kuò de cǎo yuán

    vast grassland

  • 在草原上放牧zài cǎo yuán shàng fàng mù

    graze livestock on grassland

  • 保护草原bǎo hù cǎo yuán

    protect grassland

Similar words

草地cǎo dì: A grassy area where people can play or rest.
田野tián yě: Open countryside and fields used for farming or found around farmland.
牧场mù chǎng: Managed land where farm animals are raised or grazed, often with fences or facilities.
草坪cǎo píng: A lawn of short, well-kept grass in a garden or public place.

Definition in Chinese

广阔的、被草覆盖的天然开阔地，常作为放牧或野外活动的场所。guǎng kuò de bèi cǎo fù gài de tiān rán kāi kuò dì cháng zuò wéi fàng mù huò yě wài huó dòng de cháng suǒ

Word origin

草原 (cǎoyuán, "grassland") is formed from 草 (cǎo, "grass") plus 原 (yuán, "open country"), so its parts point to a grassy expanse.

Usage tips

  • In general conversation, this noun readily combines with verbs for going, crossing, and sightseeing, which frames it as a place for an outing rather than only a type of vegetation.

Other meanings

  • meadownoun
  • prairienoun
  • pasturenoun

Opposites

  • 沙地shā dìsandy landnoun
  • 森林sēn línforestnoun

Related words

  • 草原带cǎo yuán dàigrassland beltnoun
  • 草原保护区cǎo yuán bǎo hù qūgrassland reservenoun
  • 草原文化cǎo yuán wén huàgrassland culturenoun

Word lists with this word