noun HSK 6
zhí mín
colony · colonial territory

Meaning

殖民地 refers to a territory under the political control of another country, typically established through military conquest or settlement. It describes regions that were governed by foreign powers, often exploited for resources and labor during the colonial era.

Usage

This term is commonly used in historical and political contexts when discussing colonialism and imperialism. It appears frequently in discussions about world history, international relations, and post-colonial studies. The term carries negative connotations related to exploitation and oppression.

Examples

  1. 01
    香港曾经是英国的殖民地
    Xiānggǎng céng jīng shì Yīng guó de zhí mín .
    Hong Kong was once a British colony.
  2. 02
    许多非洲国家在二十世纪中期摆脱了殖民地统治。
    duō Fēi zhōu guó jiā zài èr shí shì zhōng bǎi tuō le zhí mín tǒng zhì.
    Many African countries freed themselves from colonial rule in the mid-twentieth century.

Characters

Measure words

  • 一个殖民地
  • kuài一块殖民地

Common collocations

  • 殖民地
    qián zhí mín
    former colony
  • 殖民地统治
    zhí mín tǒng zhì
    colonial rule
  • 殖民地时期
    zhí mín shí
    colonial period
  • 英国殖民地
    Yīng guó zhí mín
    British colony

Antonyms

Origin

The term literally means 'land for settling people.' 殖 originally referred to breeding or multiplying, 民 means people or citizens, and 地 means land. Together they describe territory where a colonizing power settles its people.

Related