As you pack your schoolbag each day, have you ever wondered how to describe all the essential items that find their place inside it?

From textbook to eraser, let's expand your Chinese vocabulary that makes your bag complete!

書包 Schoolbag

In Chinese, a backpack is known as "背包" (bēi bāo). This term is quite straightforward, as "背" (bēi) means "to carry on one's back," and "包" (bāo) means "bag" or "sack."

背包
bēi bāo
backpack

The word 書包 (shū bāo) specifically refers to a bag for carrying books and studying materials.

書包
shū bāo
schoolbag

書包里有什么?
What's in a Schoolbag?

Now let's explore the contents of a 書包 (shū bāo) in Chinese:

01. Notebook

筆記本
bǐ jì běn
notebook (stationery)
(lit. "pen-to record-book")

02. Book

書
shū
book

03. Textbook

課本
kè běn
textbook
(lit. "class-book")

NOTE

The measure word for books is "本" (běn). For example, you can say "一本書" (yī běn shū) to mean "one book", or "一本課本" (yī běn kè běn) for "one textbook".

04. Thermos

Term 杯子 (bēi zi) is a general word used to describe any type of cup, whether it's for water, tea, coffee, or other beverages.

杯子
bēi zi
cup

Thermos, or "保溫杯" (bǎo wēn bēi) is great for keeping your drinks hot or cold when you're on the move. Whether you're on a school trip or simply looking to keep your morning coffee hot during class, a tumbler is the perfect solution to meet your needs.

05. Highlighter Pen

Highlighter pen are widely used for marking important information in textbooks, notes, and documents.

熒光筆
yíng guāng bǐ
highlighter (pen)
(lit. "fluorescent-pen")

NOTE

The term "熒光" (yíng guāng) refers to fluorescence, which is the property of these pens that makes the ink stand out with bright, vibrant colors when applied to paper.

06. Pencil

For those who prefer using pencils:

鉛筆
qiān bǐ
pencil
(lit. "lead-pen")

NOTE

"鉛" (qiān) means "lead" (referring to the pencil's core), and "筆" (bǐ) means "pen".

07. Pen

筆
bǐ
pen

There is a wide variety of different types of pens you can choose from:

鋼筆 (gāng bǐ) ? fountain pen

"鋼" means "steel", the material commonly used for the pen's nib.

圓珠筆 (yuán zhū bǐ) ? ballpoint pen

"圓珠" means "ball" referring to the small ball bearing at the tip that dispenses ink.

凝膠筆 (níng jiāo bǐ) ? gel pen

"凝膠" means "gel".

毛筆 (máo bǐ) ? traditional Chinese calligraphy brush

"毛" refers to the brush's bristles.

08. Eraser

橡皮
xiàng pí
eraser

(lit. "oak-skin")

NOTE

The measure word for eraser is "塊" (kuài). So, you would say "一塊橡皮" (yì kuài xiàng pí) to mean "one eraser."

09. Mobile Phone

手機(jī)
shǒu jī
mobile phone
(lit. "hand-machine")

Source: That's Mandarin
Editor: wanwan