Chinese word

手帕

Pronunciation

Pinyinshǒu pà

Meaning

  • nounhandkerchief

Example

夏天我用手帕擦汗。xià tiān wǒ yòng shǒu pà cā hàn

In summer, I use a handkerchief to wipe away sweat.

Illustration for 手帕 (handkerchief)

More examples

寒冷的早晨，他从口袋里拿出手帕擦了擦鼻子。hán lěng de zǎo chén tā cóng kǒu dài lǐ ná chū shǒu pà cā le cā bí zi

On a cold morning, he took a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his nose.

Core concept

A small reusable cloth kept ready for personal wiping.

Common phrases

  • 递上手帕dì shàng shǒu pà

    offer a handkerchief

  • 口袋里的手帕kǒu dài lǐ de shǒu pà

    handkerchief in the pocket

  • 脖子上挂着手帕bó zi shàng guà zhe shǒu pà

    have a handkerchief around the neck

Similar words

纸巾zhǐ jīn: A thin disposable paper sheet for wiping the nose, hands, or face.
毛巾máo jīn: A thick, absorbent cloth for drying the face or body.
湿巾shī jīn: A disposable moist sheet with water or cleanser for wiping dirt from hands or face.

Definition in Chinese

供个人擦拭身体（如手、脸、汗）用的布制小巾，通常可反复清洗并随身携带。gōng gè rén cā shì shēn tǐ rú shǒu liǎn hàn yòng de bù zhì xiǎo jīn tōng cháng kě fǎn fù qīng xǐ bìng suí shēn xié dài

Word origin

手帕 (shǒupà, "handkerchief") combines 手 (shǒu, "hand") with 帕 (pà, "wiping cloth"), linking the object to hand-held use.

Usage tips

  • The word has a practical, neutral tone in everyday speech, so it suits ordinary talk about a personal item carried in a bag.

Related words

  • 手帕儿shǒu pàrhandkerchiefnoun

Word lists with this word