Definition
墓穴 refers to the excavated pit or vault inside a tomb where the coffin is placed — the physical hole in the ground or rock chamber itself. It is more specific than 坟墓 (tomb/grave as a whole structure), which includes the mound, markers, and surrounding area. Use 墓穴 when you want to emphasize the underground space for burial, especially in archaeological or historical contexts.
n.
grave vaultcoffin pit (the excavated space within a tomb where the coffin is placed)
Examples
- 墓穴。Kǎogǔxuéjiā zài mùdì fāxiàn le sān zuò gǔdài mù xué.Archaeologists discovered three ancient grave vaults at the cemetery.
- 墓穴，。Dàomùzhě dǎkāi le mù xué, qǔzǒu le lǐmiàn de suízàngpǐn.Grave robbers opened the coffin pit and took the burial goods inside.
- 墓穴。Gǔdài dìwáng wèi xiūjiàn zìjǐ de mù xué hàofèi le dàliàng rénlì hé cáilì.Ancient emperors spent enormous manpower and resources building their own grave vaults.
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