Definition
垦荒 is a separable verb-object compound (离合词) meaning 'to open up virgin soil' or 'to reclaim wasteland.' You can split the syllables when adding aspect markers, duration, or frequency, like 垦了三年荒 ('reclaimed wasteland for three years'). The object 荒 ('wasteland') stays after the verb 垦 ('reclaim'), so you can insert 了, 过, measure words, or time expressions between them.
v.o.
to reclaim wastelandto open up virgin soil
Examples
- 垦荒。Zhè pī zhìyuànzhě qù xīběi kěn huāng.This group of volunteers went to the northwest to reclaim wasteland.
- 。Tā zài Hēilóngjiāng kěn le sān nián huāng.He reclaimed wasteland in Heilongjiang for three years.
- 垦荒，。Jīngguò dà guīmó kěn huāng, zhè piàn shāmò biàn chéng le liángtián.Through large-scale land reclamation, this desert turned into fertile farmland.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.