地势 dìshì terrain
terrain; topography relief
How to remember 地势: 地 ground + 势 power = terrain.
Characters
How it is used
- The lie of the land / terrain relief - 地势平坦 (dìshì píngtǎn) flat terrain; 地势险要 (dìshì xiǎnyào) strategically rugged ground.
- Focuses on the height and slope of the land, unlike 地形 (dìxíng, topographic shape) which is broader. Written/formal.