地图
Traditional: 地圖
dì tú HSK 3

English Meaning

Categories

📚 Example Sentences

我看地图。
Wǒ kàn dìtú.
I look at the map.
地图在桌子上。
Dìtú zài zhuōzi shàng.
The map is on the table.
我需要地图。
Wǒ xūyào dìtú.
I need a map.
这是地图。
Zhè shì dìtú.
This is a map.
地图很大。
Dìtú hěn dà.
The map is big.

💡 Memory Tip

Break down the characters: 地 (dì) means 'earth' or 'ground', and 图 (tú) means 'chart' or 'picture'. So, 地图 is literally a 'picture of the earth'—imagine drawing the ground to remember it means 'map'.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in formality and used in both spoken and written Chinese across everyday, academic, and professional contexts. Common situations include asking for directions, studying geography, or planning travel.

📖 Grammar Points

As a noun, it can be used as a subject (地图很详细), object (买地图), or with modifiers (新的地图). It often appears with verbs like 看, 用, 画, or 卖.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In China, maps have historical significance, with ancient maps like those from the Han Dynasty showing early cartography. Today, digital maps like Baidu Maps or Gaode Maps are widely used for daily navigation.

🔄 Similar Words

与'图表' (túbiǎo, chart/graph) 不同,'地图' 特指地理区域的图示。'平面图' (píngmiàntú, floor plan) 通常用于建筑物内部,而'地图' 范围更广,如城市或国家。

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