化石 huàshí fossil
How to remember 化石: 化 change + 石 stone = fossil.
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How it is used
- A fossil - the preserved remains of ancient life: 恐龙化石 (kǒnglóng huàshí) dinosaur fossil, 化石燃料 (huàshí ránliào) fossil fuel.
- A plain scientific noun; the literal parts are 化 (transform) + 石 (stone), 'turned to stone'.
- Sometimes figurative for something rigid and outdated, but the geological sense dominates.