耕地

• Pinyin: gēng dì
• Hanzi breakdown: 耕 = 耒 + 井 (to plough with a tool); 地 = 土 + 也 (earth, land)

Meaning

Arable land; farmland. Land that is used or suitable for growing crops.

A key term in Chinese agricultural policy and land management. China has strict regulations protecting arable land due to food security concerns.

Examples

1. 保护耕地是国家粮食安全的根本。 Protecting arable land is fundamental to the country’s food security.
2. 随着城镇化推进，耕地面积逐年减少。 As urbanization advances, the amount of arable land decreases year by year.
3. 农民们在春耕时节翻整耕地。 During the spring plowing season, farmers turn over and prepare the fields.

Usage Guide

Context: agriculture, policy, land management

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 国家严格限制将耕地用于非农业建设。(The state strictly limits the use of arable land for non-agricultural construction.)
• 保护十八亿亩耕地红线是基本国策。(Protecting the 1.8 billion mu arable land red line is a fundamental national policy.)

Don't Say

• 耕地 for any plot of soil — use 土地 or 土壤 for general earth/soil; 耕地 specifically means cultivated or cultivatable farmland

Origin & History

耕 (to plough) + 地 (land)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Rural/Policy