干旱 (gānhàn) — drought; arid

干旱 (gānhàn)

A drought is a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall that causes a serious shortage of water, threatening agriculture, ecosystems, and communities.

Meanings

1. [noun] drought; prolonged dry period with water shortage
2. [adjective] arid; dry; drought-affected

Example Sentences

严重的干旱导致农作物大量减产。 Yánzhòng de gānhàn dǎozhì nóngzuòwù dàliàng jiǎnchǎn. The severe drought caused a large reduction in crop yields.

这个地区长期干旱，水资源极度匮乏。 Zhège dìqū chángqī gānhàn, shuǐ zīyuán jídù kuìfá. This region is long affected by drought, with extremely scarce water resources.

气候变化导致全球许多地区干旱频率增加。 Qìhòu biànhuà dǎozhì quánqiú xǔduō dìqū gānhàn pínlǜ zēngjiā. Climate change is causing the frequency of droughts to increase in many regions around the world.

政府紧急调拨资金，帮助干旱地区的农民渡过难关。 Zhèngfǔ jǐnjí diàobō zījīn, bāngzhù gānhàn dìqū de nóngmín dùguò nán guān. The government urgently allocated funds to help farmers in drought-affected areas overcome the crisis.

科学家们正在研发更耐干旱的农作物品种。 Kēxuéjiāmen zhèngzài yánfā gèng nài gānhàn de nóngzuòwù pǐnzhǒng. Scientists are developing more drought-resistant crop varieties.

为了应对干旱，当地居民建造了更多蓄水设施。 Wèile yìngduì gānhàn, dāngdì jūmín jiànzàole gèng duō xùshuǐ shèshī. To cope with drought, local residents built more water storage facilities.

Collocations

Usage Notes

干旱 refers specifically to drought conditions caused by lack of rainfall, distinct from general dryness. It is used in meteorological, agricultural, and environmental contexts. The character 旱 specifically means "drought/dry land," while 干 means "dry."

In news and official reports, you will see 抗旱 (to fight drought) and 旱情 (drought situation/conditions) as common shortened forms. 干旱 can also function attributively: 干旱地区 (drought-affected/arid region), 干旱气候 (arid climate).

Memory Hook

干 (dry) + 旱 (drought; the character has 日 sun at the top shining down) -- the sun drying everything out, creating a dry, thirsty land.