break ground; start construction
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to break ground; to start excavation or construction
formalFormally refers to the first time earth is dug for a construction project or a tomb, marking the official start of work. It can also be used more generally for any digging activity.
Xīn新
gōng工
chǎng厂
jīn今
tiān天
shàng上
wǔ午
zhèng正
shì式
dòng动
tǔ土
le了
。
The new factory officially broke ground this morning.
Gēn根
jù据
chuán传
tǒng统
，
dòng动
tǔ土
qián前
yào要
jǔ举
xíng行
yí仪
shì式
。
According to tradition, a ceremony must be held before breaking ground.
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Tā他
zài在
hòu后
yuàn院
dòng动
tǔ土
，
zhǔn准
bèi备
jiàn建
yī一
gè个
huā花
tán坛
。
He's breaking ground in the backyard to build a flower bed.