break ground; start construction; spring plowing; sprout
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
3 senses · 6 examplesverb
to break ground; to start construction on a building
formalFormal usage in construction and architecture contexts. Often used in the phrase 破土动工.
Xīn新
yī医
yuàn院
jiāng将
yú于
xià下
gè个
yuè月
pò破
tǔ土
dòng动
gōng工
。
The new hospital will break ground next month.
Jǔ举
xíng行
le了
lóng隆
zhòng重
de的
pò破
tǔ土
diǎn典
lǐ礼
。
A grand groundbreaking ceremony was held.
verb
to plow and loosen soil in spring when the ground thaws; to begin spring cultivation
Agricultural term referring to the beginning of spring farming activities after the soil thaws.
Jīng惊
zhé蛰
guò过
hòu后
，
nóng农
mín民
kāi开
shǐ始
pò破
tǔ土
chūn春
gēng耕
。
After the Awakening of Insects, farmers begin spring plowing.
Tǔ土
dì地
gāng刚
gāng刚
jiě解
dòng冻
，
shì适
yí宜
pò破
tǔ土
bō播
zhǒng种
。
The soil has just thawed, making it suitable for plowing and sowing.
verb
(of seedlings) to break through the soil surface; to emerge; to sprout
technicalBiological or botanical term describing the process of seed germination and seedling emergence. Often used in the idiom 破土而出.
Zhǒng种
zǐ子
zài在
yī一
zhōu周
nèi内
pò破
tǔ土
ér而
chū出
。
The seeds emerged within a week.
Yòu幼
miáo苗
gāng刚
gāng刚
pò破
tǔ土
，
xū需
yào要
jīng精
xīn心
hē呵
hù护
。
The seedlings have just broken through the soil and need careful nurturing.