Usage note
河用来指代自然界的河流，比如长江、黄河。
hé lái zǔ dài zì rán jìng de hé, bǐ 如 长江、黄河。
River is used to refer to natural rivers, such as the Yangtze River and the Yellow River.
Context note
河常见于描述地理环境或自然景观的句子中，比如‘我们住在河边’或‘公园里有一条小河。'
hé jiàn cháng yú miáo shù dì lǐ huán jí huò zì rán guāng jiǎng de jù zi zhōng, bǐ 如 ‘我们住在河边’ huò ‘公园里有一条小河。'
River is commonly found in sentences describing geographical environments or natural landscapes, such as 'We live by the river' or 'There is a small stream in the park.'
5 examples
长江是中国最长的河。
cháng jiāng shì zhōng guó zuì cháng de hé。
The Yangtze River is China's longest river.
河边有很多美丽的风景。
hé biān yǒu hěn duō měi lì de fēng jǐng。
There are many beautiful scenic spots by the riverside.
小河里有几条鱼在游动。
xiǎo hé lǐ yǒu jǐ tiáo yú zài yóu dòng。
Several fish are swimming in the small stream.
河边经常有人散步。
hé biān jīng cháng yǒu rén sàn bù。
People often take walks by the riverside.
河里有许多动植物。
hé lǐ yǒu xǔ duō dòng zhí wù。
The river has many plants and animals.
5 mini stories
河边有一座桥，人们可以过河。
hé biān yǒu yí zuò qiáo， rén men kě yǐ guò hé。
There is a bridge by the river where people can cross it.
小河边有一棵大树，树下有许多鸟。
xiǎo hé biān yǒu yì kē dà shù， shù xià yǒu xǔ duō niǎo。
By the small river, there is a big tree under which many birds are perched.
河里的水很清澈，可以看到许多鱼。
hé lǐ de shuǐ hěn qīng chè， kě yǐ kàn dào xǔ duō yú。
The water in the river is very clear and you can see many fish.
河对面有一座山，山上有很多树。
hé duì miàn yǒu yí zuò shān， shān shàng yǒu hěn duō shù。
Across the river is a mountain with many trees on it.
河边的公园里有许多人在玩耍。
hé biān de gōng yuán lǐ yǒu xǔ duō rén zài wán shuǎ。
There are many people playing in the park by the river.
Mini dialogue
河边散步
A
这条河真漂亮。
Zhè tiáo hé zhēn piào liang.
This river is really beautiful.
B
是啊，我们可以在河边散步。
Shì a, wǒ men kě yǐ zài hé biān sàn bù.
Yes, we can take a walk by the river.
河水很清
A
河里有小鱼吗？
Hé lǐ yǒu xiǎo yú ma?
Are there small fish in the river?
B
有，你看，河水很清，能看到小鱼。
Yǒu, nǐ kàn, hé shuǐ hěn qīng, néng kàn dào xiǎo yú.
Yes, look, the river water is very clear, you can see the small fish.
Related words and contrasts
similar
江
jiāng
large river
江 is usually a bigger river than 河
related
溪
xī
stream
A small stream, smaller than a river
contrast
海
hǎi
sea
A river flows into the sea