Chinese word

图书

Pronunciation

Pinyintú shū

Meaning

  • nounbook

Example

我在网上买了一本图书。wǒ zài wǎng shàng mǎi le yì běn tú shū

I bought a book online.

Illustration for 图书 (book)

More examples

学生在图书馆里安静地查阅图书。xué shēng zài tú shū guǎn lǐ ān jìng dì chá yuè tú shū

Students quietly consult books in the library.

Core concept

An organized readable work released as a physical or digital item for reading, borrowing, or reference.

Common phrases

  • 借阅图书jiè yuè tú shū

    borrow books

  • 参考图书cān kǎo tú shū

    reference books

  • 收藏图书shōu cáng tú shū

    collect books

Similar words

书籍shū jí: A complete book published as a printed or electronic work.
书shū: A common general term for a book or bound publication.
本běn: A conversational short noun for one book or volume.

Definition in Chinese

泛指通过印刷或电子方式发行、供阅读、借阅或作为参考保存的书籍和文献。fàn zhǐ tōng guò yìn shuā huò diàn zi fāng shì fā xíng gōng yuè dú jiè yuè huò zuò wéi cān kǎo bǎo cún de shū jí hé wén xiàn

Word origin

图书 (túshū, "book or publication") combines 图 (tú, "diagram or map") + 书 (shū, "book or writing"), linking visual and written records in a broad term for material kept for reading or reference.

Usage tips

  • In conversational Chinese, 图书 (túshū, "book or publication") sounds like a catalog or institutional label, so it is especially useful on library signs, bookstore shelves, and shopping sites.

Other meanings

  • publicationnoun

Related words

  • 图书馆tú shū guǎnlibrarynoun
  • 图书目录tú shū mù lùbook catalognoun
  • 图书管理员tú shū guán lǐ yuánlibrariannoun

Word lists with this word