mainland
mainland — adjective
1. describing the principal land area of a country, region, or continent, as distin
describing the principal land area of a country, region, or continent, as distinct from nearby islands or offshore territories — for example, mainland China refers to the territories under the PRC's direct control, excluding Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau.
Ferries connect the Greek islands to the mainland port of Piraeus.
mainland + noun: attributive use describing a port
Mainland China and Taiwan share a common language and cultural heritage.
geopolitical collocation: mainland China
The mainland European rail network makes it easy to travel between countries.
Mainland territories often have different legal systems from offshore islands.
- continental
more common for Europe vs the British Isles; less political
- main
broader in meaning; does not specifically exclude islands
文法句型
mainland + noun
用法筆記
Attributive only — use before a noun (mainland China, mainland Europe). Cannot be used as a predicate (*China is mainland). When used with China, note the geopolitical context: 'mainland China' contrasts with Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau.
常見錯誤
mainland — noun
1. the biggest continuous land area within a country or region, not counting any is
the biggest continuous land area within a country or region, not counting any islands that lie near it — for example, traveling from an island to the mainland, or comparing island life with life on the mainland.
After three days on the island, Hyun took the ferry back to the mainland.
the + mainland as a destination
The Greek mainland is dominated by mountains and ancient ruins.
the + country-name + mainland
Many plant species found on the islands are extremely rare on the mainland.
Élise grew up on the mainland but spent every summer on a small island.
- island
a body of land surrounded by water
- offshore territory
formal; territories separated from the mainland by water
文法句型
the mainland
the + adjective + mainland
用法筆記
Usually used with the definite article 'the' (the mainland). Uncountable — never 'a mainland' or 'mainlands'. In Taiwan, 'the mainland' (大陸) is commonly understood as a reference to Mainland China, though in other contexts it may refer to any country or continent's principal land mass.