石头
shí tou
In Chinese, the English word "rock" is translated as 石头 (shí tou).
石头 refers to a large stone or a boulder. It is also a key component in the phrase 石头剪刀布, which is the standard way to refer to the game rock-paper-scissors.
Meaning: large stone or boulder (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 石头 is the standard term, the single character 石 serves as its formal or literary root and is frequently used in compound words. For scientific, geological or academic discussions, the formal term 岩石 is used instead.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some southern dialects, you may encounter the term 石头仔 to refer to a rock.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting a single rock, you should use the specific measure word 块 (kuài) rather than the general measure word 个 (gè).
How do you pronounce it?
shí tou
When do people say it?
The term is commonly used in the context of the hand game 石头剪刀布 (rock-paper-scissors).
Did you know?
- Chinese folklore often features 'stone monkeys', most notably Sun Wukong from 'Journey to the West', who was born from a magical 石头.
- The measure word 块 used for 石头 also means 'piece' or 'chunk' and is the standard way to count money in colloquial Chinese.
- The character 石 is a pictograph that originally depicted a stone being chipped away from a cliff face.
Examples in context
- 石头剪刀布！Rock-paper-scissors, shoot!This sentence shows how 石头 is used in the game rock-paper-scissors.Tatoeba #13953741 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #13953742 by jan_OkulaJu
- 来玩石头剪刀布吧！Let's play rock-paper-scissors!This sentence demonstrates how to invite someone to play rock-paper-scissors using 石头.Tatoeba #13953747 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #13953739 by jan_OkulaJu
- 那个男孩抛了一块石头。That boy threw a lump of rock.This sentence shows how to use 石头 when referring to a single lump of rock.Tatoeba #1790103 by sadhen, translation #7768878 by sharris123
- 科学家对这座山中的岩石进行了研究。Scientists conducted research on the rocks in this mountain.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A young man and woman are walking along a riverbank.
- 浩然 Haoran河边有很多大石头。Hébian yǒu hěnduō dà shítou.There are many large rocks by the river.
- 梓涵 Zihan浩然，看那边那块石头！Hàorán, kàn nàbiān nà kuài shítou!Haoran, look at that rock over there!
- 浩然 Haoran那块石头真大。Nà kuài shítou zhēn dà.That rock is really big.
- 梓涵 Zihan我们去那里坐坐吧。Wǒmen qù nàlǐ zuòzuo ba.Let's go sit over there.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
