半岛

• Pinyin: bàn dǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 半 = half; 岛 = 山 (mountain) + 鸟 (bird) = island

Meaning

Peninsula.

A geographical term for a piece of land almost surrounded by water but connected to the mainland. Used in place names like the Korean Peninsula and Arabian Peninsula.

Examples

1. 朝鲜半岛的局势一直是国际关注的焦点。 The situation on the Korean Peninsula has always been a focus of international attention.
2. 山东半岛是中国北方重要的经济区。 The Shandong Peninsula is an important economic zone in northern China.
3. 意大利整个国家就像一只靴子形的半岛。 The whole country of Italy is like a boot-shaped peninsula.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, news

Tone: factual

Do Say

• 伊比利亚半岛包括西班牙和葡萄牙。(The Iberian Peninsula includes Spain and Portugal.)
• 半岛酒店是香港的地标。(The Peninsula Hotel is a Hong Kong landmark.)

Don't Say

• 把完全是岛屿的地方叫'半岛' (Don't call a complete island a 半岛 — a peninsula must be connected to the mainland)

Origin & History

半 (half) + 岛 (island). Half-island, i.e., peninsula.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal