Meaning and Usage
"喷泉" (pēnquán) refers to a fountain, a structure that sprays water into the air, often found in parks, plazas, or gardens. It is primarily a noun describing a decorative water feature.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "喷泉" used when talking about public spaces or tourist attractions. It can describe both natural springs and man-made fountains, but in modern usage, it usually means the latter.
Collocations and Patterns
- 喷泉水柱 (pēnquán shuǐzhù): fountain water jet, emphasizing the water shooting upwards
- 喷泉广场 (pēnquán guǎngchǎng): fountain square, a public area featuring fountains
- 喷泉装置 (pēnquán zhuāngzhì): fountain installation, referring to the mechanical system
Usage Tips
When using "喷泉," speakers often imply a pleasant, aesthetic environment. It is a neutral term suitable for formal and informal contexts. Avoid confusing it with "泉水" (quánshuǐ), which refers more to natural spring water rather than a constructed fountain.