化石

• Pinyin: huà shí
• Hanzi breakdown: 化 = to transform; 石 = stone

Meaning

Fossil. Preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms.

Used in paleontology, geology, and museum contexts. Can be used metaphorically to describe something extremely outdated. 活化石 (living fossil) describes ancient species still alive.

Examples

1. 科学家在这里发现了恐龙化石。 Scientists discovered dinosaur fossils here.
2. 博物馆展出了许多珍贵的化石。 The museum displays many precious fossils.
3. 这块化石已经有上亿年的历史了。 This fossil is over a hundred million years old.

Usage Guide

Context: science, museum, education, paleontology

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这是真的化石吗？(Is this a real fossil?)
• 化石可以告诉我们很多历史信息。(Fossils can tell us a lot of historical information.)

Don't Say

• 你是化石 (calling someone a fossil is insulting, implying they're outdated and useless)

Origin & History

Compound of 化 (to transform) + 石 (stone), describing organisms transformed into stone over time.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal