Abstract: The introduction of potatoes in Shaanxi has regional independence, with different channels of introduction in northern, central, and southern Shaanxi, showing multiple sources and stages. The potato terms in northern Shaanxi have three categories: "Shanyao"(yam) type; "Yangyu" (foreign potato) type; "Manjing" (vine tuber) type. Among them, the "Shanyao" type in northern Shaanxi is related to the northwest land trade; the "Yangyu" type is related to its introduction in central Shaanxi; and the "Manjing" type is the result of self-innovation. The "Manjing" type in northern Shaanxi has no historical connection with the "Manjing" terms in southwestern and southeastern Shanxi, which is a coincidence result of parallel evolution. The "Yangyu" type in central Shaanxi is related to the spread of potato varieties along the southeastern coastal areas. The "Yangyu" type in southern Shaanxi has two sources: it spread upstream from the southeastern coast; or it came from the Sichuan and Hubei regions.

Key words: word forms, geographic distribution, the spread of potato