岩浆
yánjiāng
The Chinese word for lava is 岩浆 (yánjiāng).
岩浆 refers to molten rock. In many contexts, it is used to describe both magma located underground and lava on the surface.
Meaning: molten rock (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 岩 (yán), meaning rock and 浆 (jiāng), meaning liquid or thick fluid.
Which one should you use?
In scientific contexts, 岩浆 (yánjiāng) is often used to refer to both magma (underground) and lava (on the surface), though some technical texts may distinguish them.
How do you pronounce it?
yánjiāng
Did you know?
- The character 浆 (jiāng) in 岩浆 is also used in the word for 'soy milk', linking the image of molten rock to a common breakfast drink.
- The character 岩 (yán) is a frequent component in the names of mountains, which linguistically ties the 'lava' back to its solid mountain origin.
- Because 岩浆 (yánjiāng) is a single term for both magma and lava, a Chinese speaker must add specific modifiers like 'underground' or 'surface' to clarify the location.
Examples in context
- 熔岩是火山爆发时喷发出来的热流体。Lava is the hot fluid that erupts during a volcanic eruption.
- 地质公园里有一块很大的火山石，上面看得出曾经有熔岩流过。There is a large volcanic rock in the geological park, and you can see traces of past lava flows on it.
- 火山喷出了大量的岩浆。huǒshān pēnchūle dàliàng de yánjiāng.The volcano erupted a large amount of lava.
- 岩浆的温度非常高。yánjiāng de wēndù fēicháng gāo.The temperature of the lava is extremely high.
- 冷却后的岩浆变成了岩石。lěngquè hòu de yánjiāng biànchéngle yánshí.The cooled lava turned into rock.
Example conversation
Two people are watching a science documentary on television.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你看，那是流动的岩浆。Nǐ kàn, nà shì liúdòng de yánjiāng.Look, that is flowing lava.
- 伟 Wei真的很壮观，也很危险。Zhēn de hěn zhuàngguān, yě hěn wēixiǎn.It is really spectacular, but also dangerous.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen伟，你觉得岩浆是什么颜色？Wěi, nǐ juédé yánjiāng shì shénme yánsè?Wei, what color do you think the lava is?
- 伟 Wei通常是红色的。Tōngcháng shì hóngsè de.It is usually red.
