垒球
lěiqiú
The English word softball is translated into Chinese as 垒球 (lěiqiú).
Meaning: game (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 垒 (lěi), meaning 'base' or 'fortification' and 球 (qiú), meaning 'ball'.
Which one should you use?
While softball is 垒球 (lěiqiú), baseball is 棒球 (bàngqiú), where 棒 (bàng) refers to a 'bat' or 'stick'.
How do you pronounce it?
lěiqiú
Did you know?
- The character 垒 is much more common in military or construction contexts, such as 'fortifying a position', than in casual daily conversation.
- While 球 (qiú) means 'ball', it is also used in Chinese to describe anything spherical, including the Earth 地球 and the eyes 眼球.
- Because 棒 (bàng) means 'stick', it is the same character used in 棒球 (baseball) and the general term for a magic wand or baton.
Examples in context
- 哈维是一位热爱打软式垒球的运动员。Havi is an athlete who loves playing softball.
- 我无论是打乒乓球还是软式垒球，都能获得快乐。Whether I'm playing table tennis or softball, I can find happiness.
- 我喜欢打垒球。Wǒ xǐhuān dǎ lěiqiú.I like playing softball.
- 这是一场垒球比赛。Zhè shì yī chǎng lěiqiú bǐsài.This is a softball match.
- 她参加了学校的垒球队。Tā cānjiā le xuéxiào de lěiqiú duì.She joined the school softball team.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their weekend plans.
- 佳怡 Jiayi俊杰，周六想去打垒球吗？Jùnjié, zhōuliù xiǎng qù dǎ lěiqiú ma?Junjie, do you want to play softball on Saturday?
- 俊杰 Junjie好啊，我在哪里可以见到你？Hǎo a, wǒ zài nǎlǐ kěyǐ jiàn dào nǐ?Sure, where can I meet you?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我们在学校的垒球场见。Wǒmen zài xuéxiào de lěiqiú chǎng jiàn.Let's meet at the school softball field.
- 俊杰 Junjie没问题，到时候见。Méi wèntí, dào shíhòu jiàn.No problem, see you then.
