出土

• Pinyin: chū tǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 出 = to come out; 土 = pictograph of a mound of earth

Meaning

To be unearthed; to be excavated; (of archaeological artifacts) to be discovered.

Primarily used in archaeological and historical contexts for artifacts or remains being dug up. Also used figuratively for things from the past coming to light. Can describe the literal emergence of plants from soil.

Examples

1. 这批青铜器是在陕西出土的。 These bronze artifacts were unearthed in Shaanxi.
2. 考古队最近出土了一座两千年前的古墓。 The archaeological team recently excavated an ancient tomb from two thousand years ago.
3. 春天到了，小草开始出土发芽。 Spring has arrived, and the grass is beginning to emerge and sprout.

Usage Guide

Context: archaeology, history, nature

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这件出土文物有三千年的历史。(This unearthed artifact is three thousand years old.)
• 墓葬中出土了大量金银器。(A large quantity of gold and silver artifacts were excavated from the tomb.)

Don't Say

• 我从地铁出土了 (For people coming out of the subway, use 出来 — 出土 is for things buried underground)

Origin & History

Compound of 出 (to come out) and 土 (earth/soil). Literally emerging from the ground.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal