平原

• Pinyin: píng yuán
• Hanzi breakdown: 平 = flat/level; 原 = 厂 (cliff) + 泉 (spring), original/field

Meaning

Plain; flatland. A large area of flat land.

Geographical term for extensive flat terrain, contrasted with 高原 (plateau), 山地 (mountainous area), and 丘陵 (hills). Major Chinese plains include 华北平原 (North China Plain), 东北平原 (Northeast Plain), 长江中下游平原 (Middle-Lower Yangtze Plain).

Examples

1. 东北平原是中国最大的平原。 The Northeast Plain is the largest plain in China.
2. 平原地区农业发达，粮食产量高。 Agriculture is well-developed in plain areas with high grain output.
3. 他从山区搬到了平原生活。 He moved from the mountainous region to live on the plains.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, agriculture, education

Tone: factual

Do Say

• 中国有三大平原。(China has three major plains.)
• 平原地区人口密集。(The population is dense in plain areas.)

Don't Say

• 这个平原很高。(平原 by definition is low and flat — for high flatlands, use 高原)

Origin & History

平 (píng, flat) + 原 (yuán, origin/field). A flat expanse of land.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal