Understanding "篮球" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 篮球
• Pinyin: lán qiú
• Literal Meaning: "Basket" (篮 lán) + "Ball" (球 qiú)
• Primary Meaning: Basketball (the sport or the ball itself)

2. In-depth Explanation

Context and Usage

The word "篮球" refers to the sport of basketball or the basketball itself. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, such as discussing sports, playing games, or watching matches.

Example contexts:
- Talking about hobbies: "我喜欢打篮球" (Wǒ xǐhuān dǎ lánqiú) – "I like playing basketball."
- Referring to the object: "请把篮球递给我" (Qǐng bǎ lánqiú dì gěi wǒ) – "Please pass me the basketball."

Character Breakdown

• 篮 (lán): Means "basket" or "hoop," referring to the netted goal in basketball.
• 球 (qiú): Means "ball," a common suffix for ball-related sports (e.g., 足球 zúqiú for soccer, 排球 páiqiú for volleyball).

Together, they form "篮球," literally "basket ball."

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 他每天放学后都打篮球。
   Pinyin: Tā měi tiān fàngxué hòu dōu dǎ lánqiú.
   English: He plays basketball every day after school.

2. Chinese: 这个篮球是新的。
   Pinyin: Zhège lánqiú shì xīn de.
   English: This basketball is new.

3. Chinese: 我们周末去看篮球比赛吧！
   Pinyin: Wǒmen zhōumò qù kàn lánqiú bǐsài ba!
   English: Let’s go watch a basketball game this weekend!

Cultural Notes

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in China, heavily influenced by the NBA and local leagues like the CBA (Chinese Basketball Association). Yao Ming, a retired NBA star, is a national icon who popularized the sport further. Street basketball is also common in urban areas, and many schools have basketball courts.

Conclusion

"篮球" (lánqiú) means "basketball," combining "篮" (basket) and "球" (ball). It’s a widely loved sport in China, useful for conversations about hobbies, sports, or daily activities. Remember it by breaking it down: "basket" + "ball" = basketball!