hei1 tou2稀土
Jyutpinghei1 tou2
Yalehēi tóu
Definition
Rare earth metal; a collective name for chemical elements such as scandium, yttrium, and lanthanum.
neutralother
How it's used
This term is primarily used in technical, industrial, or geopolitical contexts rather than daily casual conversation. It refers to a specific group of seventeen chemical elements that are essential for modern electronics and green energy technologies. Because it is a specialized scientific term, it is used in the same way across both written and spoken registers.
Examples
The rare earth metals produced here are very precious.
Do you know where there are rare earth mines?
Related words
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
