杂交

• Pinyin: zá jiāo
• Hanzi breakdown: 杂 = 九 + 木 (mixed/varied); 交 = 亠 + 乂 (to cross/intersect)

Meaning

To hybridize; to crossbreed. The process of combining two different species, varieties, or genetic lines to produce offspring with mixed characteristics.

Central to biology, genetics, and agriculture. 杂交水稻 (hybrid rice) is China's most celebrated agricultural achievement, developed by Yuan Longping and credited with feeding hundreds of millions. Also used for plant breeding and animal husbandry.

Examples

1. 袁隆平培育的杂交水稻使数以亿计的人口摆脱了饥饿的威胁。 The hybrid rice developed by Yuan Longping helped hundreds of millions of people escape the threat of hunger.
2. 这种新品种蔬菜是通过多代定向杂交育种培育而成的。 This new vegetable variety was developed through many generations of targeted crossbreeding.
3. 科学家正在深入研究不同物种之间杂交的基因调控机制。 Scientists are conducting in-depth research on the genetic regulatory mechanisms behind hybridization between different species.

Usage Guide

Context: agriculture, biology, science

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 杂交育种技术极大地提高了主要农作物的产量与抗病能力，对保障粮食安全意义重大。(Hybrid breeding technology has greatly improved the yield and disease resistance of major crops, playing a vital role in food security.)
• 该实验室专注于杂交植物的基因表达分析与抗逆性改良研究。(The laboratory focuses on gene expression analysis and stress resistance improvement in hybrid plants.)

Don't Say

• 杂交两种语言或文化 — for cultural or linguistic blending use 融合 or 混合; 杂交 is used almost exclusively in biological and agricultural contexts

Origin & History

杂 (mixed) + 交 (to cross/exchange)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal