How to Say "Camping" in Chinese

露营

lùyíng

The Chinese word for camping is 露营 (lùyíng).

露营 functions as both a noun, referring to the activity of camping and a verb, meaning to go camping.

Meaning: recreational activity (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word 露营 is composed of 露 (lù), meaning 'to expose/be in the open' and 营 (yíng), meaning 'to camp/to set up camp'.

lùyíng

The character 营 in 露营 originally referred to a military camp. This reflects the historical roots of the word in army logistics and strategic encampments rather than leisure.
The character 露 (lù) in 露营 is also the word for 'dew'. Therefore, the phrase literally carries the poetic imagery of 'being in the dew'.
In modern Chinese urban culture, 'city camping' is a popular trend where people set up camping gear in city parks or on rooftops without actually spending the night.

汤姆没有喜欢露营的朋友。
Tom doesn't have any friends who like camping.
This sentence shows how to use 露营 when talking about friends who enjoy the activity.
Tatoeba #8935895 by crescat, translation #4632187 by mactrey
明天我们要去野营，你有没有兴趣一起来？
We are going camping tomorrow, would you like to join us?
去山里野营是个很好的度假方式。
Going camping in the mountains is a great way to vacation.
咱们这周末去山里露天宿营，怎么样？
How about we go mountain camping this weekend?
我们周末去露营吧。
Wǒmen zhōumò qù lùyíng ba.
Let's go camping this weekend.
我非常喜欢在森林里露营。
Wǒ fēicháng xǐhuān zài sēnlín lǐ lùyíng.
I really like camping in the forest.
1 more sentence on Tatoeba

Two friends are planning a trip outdoors.

佳怡 Jiayi

浩然，你想去露营吗？
Hàorán, nǐ xiǎng qù lùyíng ma?
Haoran, do you want to go camping?
浩然 Haoran

好啊，我也想去。
Hǎo a, wǒ yě xiǎng qù.
Sure, I want to go too.
佳怡 Jiayi

我们要准备很多食物。
Wǒmen yào zhǔnbèi hěnduō shíwù.
We need to prepare a lot of food.
浩然 Haoran

没问题，我来准备。
Méi wèntí, wǒ lái zhǔnbèi.
No problem, I will prepare it.

Sources

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