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    Chinese Grammar

    Using 石 (shí) to refer to stone or rock

    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    石 + Noun (compound) / Standalone

    Explanation

    The noun 石 (shí) means "stone" or "rock." It can appear on its own in literary or concise contexts, or as part of compound words like 石头 (shítou). In more formal or written Chinese, 石 alone is commonly used to refer to rocks or stones.

    Examples

    • 河边有很多光滑的石头。

      hé biān yǒu hěn duō guānghuá de shítou.

      There are many smooth stones by the river.

    • 他捡起一块石头扔进了湖里。

      tā jiǎn qǐ yī kuài shítou rēng jìn le hú lǐ.

      He picked up a stone and threw it into the lake.

    • 这座桥是用石头建造的，非常坚固。

      zhè zuò qiáo shì yòng shítou jiànzào de, fēicháng jiāngù.

      This bridge is built with stone and is very sturdy.

    Using 石 (shí) to refer to stone or rock | Chinese Grammar