noun HSK 4
Earth · the globe · the planet Earth
Meaning
地球 literally means 'ground ball' or 'earth sphere.' It is the standard term in Mandarin for the planet Earth. The word combines 地 (earth, ground) with 球 (ball, sphere) to create a straightforward description of our planet as a spherical body.
Usage
This is the formal, standard term used in all contexts when referring to planet Earth. It appears frequently in scientific, environmental, educational, and everyday discussions about the planet. Native speakers use it the same way English speakers use 'Earth' or 'the Earth.'
Examples
- 01我们只有一个地球，所以要好好保护环境。, .We only have one Earth, so we must protect the environment well.
- 02地球围绕太阳转，一年转一圈。, .The Earth revolves around the sun, completing one orbit per year.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个地球
Common collocations
- 地球村global village
- 保护地球protect the Earth
- 地球日Earth Day
- 地球环境Earth's environment
Origin
Modern Chinese term formed by combining 地 (earth/ground) with 球 (sphere/ball), creating a literal 'earth sphere' to translate the Western astronomical concept of Earth as a planet.