Chinese word

工具

Pronunciation

Pinyingōng jù

Meaning

  • nountool

Example

我需要一些工具修理自行车。wǒ xū yào yì xiē gōng jù xiū lǐ zì xíng chē

I need some tools to fix the bicycle.

Illustration for 工具 (tool)

More examples

我想在商店里买新的工具。wǒ xiǎng zài shāng diàn lǐ mǎi xīn de gōng jù

I want to buy new tools at the store.

Core concept

A practical aid that channels human strength or skill into physical or technical work.

Common phrases

  • 买工具mǎi gōng jù

    buy tools

  • 借工具jiè gōng jù

    borrow tools

Similar words

用具yòng jù: Implements used in daily life or for a particular task, chosen for their intended use.
器具qì jù: Small hand-held tools or specialized devices made for a particular purpose.

Definition in Chinese

帮助人们完成体力或技术性作业的器械、器具或装置的总称，可指个人携带的手工具，也可指工厂或现场使用的大型设备。bāng zhù rén men wán chéng tǐ lì huò jì shù xìng zuò yè de qì xiè qì jù huò zhuāng zhì de zǒng chēng kě zhǐ gè rén xié dài de shǒu gōng jù yě kě zhǐ gōng chǎng huò xiàn chǎng shǐ yòng de dà xíng shè bèi

Word origin

工 (gōng, "work") + 具 (jù, "implement") combines the task with the thing used to carry it out, giving the compound its practical meaning.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, the word usually highlights an object's job, so it fits repair or construction gear better than a broad label for ordinary household objects.

Other meanings

  • equipmentnoun
  • implementnoun

Related words

  • 工具书gōng jù shūreference booknoun

Word lists with this word