耕 (gēng) - To plow & to till

耕Tone 1

gēng ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

耕 · gēng

To plow;

to till;

to cultivate land;

to engage in farming;

metaphorically, to work diligently or study hard.

To plowto tillto cultivate land

Usage highlights

To plow the fieldsTo farm and tillTo plow and weedFarming cattleFarming seasonFarming tools

Synonyms

  • 犁— to plow (as an action, often using a plow)
  • 种— to plant, to grow

Antonyms

  • 荒— to lie waste, to neglect (cultivation)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Farmers plow the fields (耕田).
  • He is diligently cultivating his studies (耕耘学业).
  • This land is suitable for farming (耕种).
  • Ancient farming tools (耕具) are displayed in the museum.

Collocations

  • To plow the fields(耕田)
  • To farm and till(耕种)
  • To plow and weed(耕耘)
  • Farming cattle(耕牛)
  • Farming season(耕期)
  • Farming tools(耕具)

Idioms

  • Plow the fields under the moonlight and read by the lamplight(耕月读灯)
  • Plow the cloud and sow the rain(耕云播雨)
  • Plow through the classics and history(耕经耘史)
  • Return home and plow(归耕)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Represents the foundational agricultural activity in traditional Chinese society, symbolizing diligence and sustenance.
  • The concept of '耕读' (farming and studying) was an ideal lifestyle in imperial China, combining practical labor with scholarly pursuit.
  • Metaphorically extended to mean diligent work in any field, such as academic or artistic endeavors.

FAQ