泥土
nítǔ
In Chinese, the English word "dirt" can be translated in several ways depending on the context. The default form is 泥土 (nítǔ). Wiktionary also lists 污垢 (wūgòu) and 灰塵 / 灰尘 (huīchén).
Meaning: soil or earth (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 泥土 | nítǔ |
| 污垢 | wūgòu |
| 灰塵 / 灰尘 | huīchén |
| 地 | dì |
| 土 | tǔ |
The term for dirt changes based on whether you are talking about natural soil, fine dust or unclean grime.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 泥土 is a compound of 泥, meaning mud or clay and 土, meaning earth or soil.
Which one should you use?
Use 泥土 when referring to soil or earth in a natural, biological or gardening context. Use 灰塵 or 灰尘 specifically for fine particles of dust rather than heavy soil. Use 污垢 when referring to dirt as something unclean, such as grime on a surface or a body.
How do you pronounce it?
nítǔ
Did you know?
- In Chinese culture, the character 土 for 'earth' is one of the five fundamental elements, representing stability and the center of the universe.
- The term 灰塵 for dust is often used in Buddhist contexts to symbolize the worldly desires and attachments that cloud the human mind.
- The character 土 can mean both 'soil' and 'local' or 'native'. Because of this, 'dirt' can sometimes carry an implication of being unrefined or from a specific, non-urban place.
Examples in context
- 你可以在地上挖土。You can dig dirt from the ground.This sentence is useful for using 地.Tatoeba #5556193 by verdastelo9604, translation #681107 by Source_VOA
- 孩子们在尘土里游戏。The children were playing in the dirt.This sentence is useful for using 土.Tatoeba #1397372 by mtdot, translation #245773 by CK
- 汤姆喜欢在污垢里玩。Tom likes to play in the dirt.This sentence is useful for using 污垢.Tatoeba #8860603 by iiujik, translation #5282232 by CK
- 农民研究了土壤的组成The farmer studied the composition of the soil
- 这个地区的土地适合农作物种植This area has fertile soil for crop cultivation
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a plant nursery.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这里的泥土很肥沃。Zhèlǐ de nítǔ hěn féiwò.The soil here is very fertile.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那我们买一些吧。Nà wǒmen mǎi yīxiē ba.Then let's buy some.
- 志强 Zhiqiang佳怡，你看这些盆栽。Jiāyí, nǐ kàn zhèxiē pénzāi.Jiayi, look at these potted plants.
- 佳怡 Jiayi它们看起来长得很好。Tāmen kàn qǐlái zhǎng de hěn hǎo.They look like they are growing well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dirt” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
