1.
civil engineering; construction work; earthworks
Engineering work involving the construction of roads, bridges, dams, and other infrastructure. Also refers broadly to construction and earthwork.
Composed of 土 (earth, soil) + 木 (wood, timber) — the two fundamental materials of traditional construction. In modern usage, it refers specifically to civil engineering as opposed to building construction (建築).
Common collocations
- 土木工事 (civil engineering work, construction work)
- 土木工学 (civil engineering as an academic discipline)
- 土木作業 (construction labor)
- 土木技術者 (civil engineer)