Meaning and Usage
"大陆" (dàlù) literally means "big land" or "continent." In modern Chinese, it most commonly refers to the mainland part of China, excluding regions like Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
Common Contexts
It is frequently used in political, cultural, and geographical contexts to distinguish the Chinese mainland from other territories. For example, "中国大陆" means "mainland China."
Collocations and Patterns
- 大陆市场 (dàlù shìchǎng): mainland market, often used in business contexts.
- 大陆居民 (dàlù jūmín): mainland residents.
- 大陆和台湾 (dàlù hé Táiwān): mainland and Taiwan, highlighting differences or relations.
Usage Notes
When using "大陆," speakers usually imply the political or geographical distinction from other Chinese-speaking regions. It is a neutral term but can carry political sensitivity depending on context. Avoid confusing it with "陆地" (lùdì), which means "land" in a more general physical sense.