地面

• Pinyin: dì miàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 地 = 土 (earth) + 也 (phonetic); 面 = pictograph of a face, extended to mean surface

Meaning

Ground; floor; surface. The surface of the earth or the floor of a room.

Refers to both outdoor ground surfaces and indoor floors. Also used in compounds like 地面交通 (ground transportation, as opposed to air or underground). In aviation, 地面 contrasts with airborne — 地面人员 means ground crew. Can describe the condition of a surface (wet, clean, rough).

Examples

1. 下过雨以后地面很滑，走路要小心。 After it rained, the ground is very slippery — be careful when walking.
2. 请把地面上的纸捡起来扔进垃圾桶。 Please pick up the paper on the floor and throw it in the rubbish bin.
3. 这个体育馆的地面是用木头做的。 The floor of this gymnasium is made of wood.

Usage Guide

Context: description, everyday, construction

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 地面太滑了，小心别摔倒。(The floor is too slippery — be careful not to fall.)
• 工人们正在修理广场的地面。(The workers are repairing the ground of the plaza.)

Don't Say

• 用地面来指土壤 (Don't use 地面 to mean soil or earth for planting — 地面 refers to the surface; use 土壤 or 泥土 for soil)

Origin & History

地 means earth or ground, and 面 means surface or face. Together, 'the surface of the ground.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal