HSK · Level 13
135 words
Chinese word
牌
Pronunciation
Pinyinpái
Meaning
- nounsign
Example
店门口的牌写着营业时间。diàn mén kǒu de pái xiě zhe yíng yè shí jiān
The sign at the store entrance lists the business hours.
More examples
路边的牌指示着前方的方向。lù biān de pái zhǐ shì zhe qián fāng de fāng xiàng
The roadside sign shows the direction ahead.
Core concept
A flat piece made to carry an identifying mark, name, number, or pattern.
Common phrases
店门口的牌diàn mén kǒu de pái
sign at the store entrance
路边的牌lù biān de pái
sign by the roadside
木制的牌mù zhì de pái
wooden sign
Similar words
牌子pái zi: A small plaque or sign is placed or hung to name a shop or product.
招牌zhāo pái: A storefront signboard shows a shop's name and may also carry advertising.
Definition in Chinese
平板状的标识物，用于标明人、店铺、物品的名称或功能，也可指带有编号或图案用以识别的牌块（如麻将牌、车牌）。píng bǎn zhuàng de biāo shí wù yòng yú biāo míng rén diàn pù wù pǐn de míng chēng huò gōng néng yě kě zhǐ dài yǒu biān hào huò tú àn yòng yǐ shí bié de pái kuài rú má jiàng pái chē pái
Word origin
牌 (pái, "sign") developed from the use of a marked wooden board to identify people or places, with the same form later applied to smaller marked pieces.
Usage tips
- For everyday listening, the surrounding situation matters more than the single noun: a storefront, a vehicle, and a game can each provide a different kind of marked object.
Other meanings
- mahjong tilenoun
- license platenoun
Related words
- 车牌chē páivehicle license platenoun
- 麻将牌má jiàng páimahjong tilenoun