地形 dìxíng topography
topography; terrain; landform
How to remember 地形: 地 ground + 形 form = topography.
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How it is used
- The lay of the land - hills, valleys, slopes: 这一带地形复杂 (zhè yīdài dìxíng fùzá) the terrain here is complex.
- Distinguish from 地势 (dìshì), which stresses relative elevation/incline (地势较高), and 地貌 (dìmào), the surface features; 地形 is the general shape of the terrain.
- Common in geography, hiking, and military/tactical talk.