Definition
土生土长 is a fixed phrase meaning 'locally born and bred' — it emphasizes that a person or thing has been rooted in a place from birth. The single character 土 can also mean 'local' as an adjective, but it carries additional connotations of 'rustic' or 'unsophisticated,' whereas 土生土长 is neutral and purely about origin.
phrase
locally born and bredindigenoushome-grown
Examples
- 土生土长，。Tā shì yí wèi tǔ shēng tǔ zhǎng de nóngmín, duì zhè piàn tǔdì fēicháng liǎojiě.He is a locally born and bred farmer who knows this land very well.
- 土生土长，。Zhè zhǒng shuǐguǒ shì tǔ shēng tǔ zhǎng de, suǒyǐ tèbié xīnxiān.This fruit is home-grown, so it's especially fresh.
- ，土生土长。Suīrán tā zài guówài shēnghuó le hěn duō nián, dàn tā réngrán juéde zìjǐ shì tǔ shēng tǔ zhǎng de Zhōngguórén.Although he has lived abroad for many years, he still considers himself a locally born and bred Chinese.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.