Meaning and Usage
The character 池 (chí) primarily means 'pond' or 'pool,' referring to a natural or artificial body of still water. It is commonly used to describe places like garden ponds, swimming pools, or fish ponds.
Common Collocations
- 游泳池 (yóuyǒngchí): swimming pool, a man-made pool for swimming.
- 池塘 (chítáng): pond, often natural or small artificial water bodies.
Usage Notes
When using 池, it usually refers to a contained water area, often smaller than a lake (湖 hú). It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Avoid confusing it with 河 (hé, river) or 湖 (hú, lake), which denote flowing or larger bodies of water.
Common Confusions
池 is often confused with 泳池 (yǒngchí), which specifically means 'swimming pool.' 池 alone is more general and can refer to any pond or pool.
Summary
Use 池 when talking about ponds or pools, especially in natural or garden settings. It is a useful word for describing water features in parks, villages, or recreational areas.