Tools & Repairs in Chinese 修理
xiūlǐ
Tools / to repair in Chinese are 工具 / 修理 (gōng jù / xiū lǐ).
Also searched for as: tools, repair, DIY, fix.
Something broke. Who fixes it? 15 essential tools & repairs words in Mandarin Chinese, with pinyin and English. Open it in the app to hear each word, tick off the ones you know and turn them into flashcards.
When something breaks, the key phrase is 坏了 (huài le), 'it's broken', and the verb you need next is 修 (xiū), 'to fix'. In China, repairs are often handled by a 师傅 (shī fu), a respectful term for a skilled tradesperson, sent by the property office or booked by phone. Add tools like 螺丝刀 (luó sī dāo), 'screwdriver', and problems like 漏水 (lòu shuǐ), 'leaking', and you can explain exactly what's wrong.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 修 | xiū | to fix |
| 坏了 | huài le | broken |
| 工具 | gōng jù | tool |
| 锤子 | chuí zi | hammer |
| 螺丝刀 | luó sī dāo | screwdriver |
| 钉子 | dīng zi | nail |
| 梯子 | tī zi | ladder |
| 胶带 | jiāo dài | tape |
| 电池 | diàn chí | battery |
| 漏水 | lòu shuǐ | to leak |
| 水管 | shuǐ guǎn | water pipe |
| 维修 | wéi xiū | repair; maintenance |
| 师傅 | shī fu | repairman (polite address) |
| 换 | huàn | to replace; to change |
| 自己动手 | zì jǐ dòng shǒu | DIY; to do it yourself |
Usage tips
- 师傅 (shī fu) is the standard polite way to address drivers, plumbers, electricians and other skilled workers on the mainland; simply start with 师傅 to get their attention.
- Hand tools take the measure word 把 (bǎ): 一把锤子 (yī bǎ chuí zi), 一把螺丝刀 (yī bǎ luó sī dāo). Nails take 根 (gēn) or 个.
- 维修 (wéi xiū) is the formal word you'll see on signs and service forms, while 修 (xiū) is what you actually say: 能修好吗？ (néng xiū hǎo ma?), 'Can it be fixed?'
Common mistakes
- Saying 很坏 for 'it's broken': 坏 on its own means 'bad' or 'naughty', so add 了 for the change of state: 门坏了 (mén huài le), 'the door's broken'.
- Using 改 (gǎi) for replacing parts: swapping a battery or lock is 换 (huàn), as in 换电池 (huàn diàn chí), while 改 means altering or correcting something.
Mini dialogue
- A师傅，厨房的水管漏水了。Shī fu, chú fáng de shuǐ guǎn lòu shuǐ le.Excuse me, the kitchen pipe is leaking.
- B我看看。哦，得换一个新的。Wǒ kàn kan. Ò, děi huàn yī gè xīn de.Let me have a look. Ah, it needs replacing.
- A今天能修好吗？Jīn tiān néng xiū hǎo ma?Can you fix it today?
- B能，工具我都带了，半个小时就好。Néng, gōng jù wǒ dōu dài le, bàn gè xiǎo shí jiù hǎo.Yes, I've brought all my tools. It'll be done in half an hour.
Example sentences
- 你会修自行车吗？Can you fix a bike?
- 电视坏了。The TV's broken.
- 你有工具吗？Do you have any tools?
- 借我一下锤子。Lend me the hammer for a sec.
- 我需要一把螺丝刀。I need a screwdriver.
- 墙上要钉一个钉子。We need to put a nail in the wall.
- 站在梯子上要小心。Be careful standing on the ladder.
- 用胶带粘一下。Stick it with some tape.
- 遥控器要换电池了。The remote needs new batteries.
- 厨房的水管漏水了。The kitchen pipe is leaking.
- 水管冻住了。The pipes have frozen.
- 空调坏了，我已经打电话叫人来维修了。The air con's broken; I've already called someone to repair it.
- 修空调的师傅下午来。The air con repairman is coming this afternoon.
- 我换了一个新锁。I changed the lock.
- 我喜欢自己动手做家具。I like making furniture myself.
Practise speaking
Ready to use these words? The Tools & repairs speaking island has 8 everyday questions about tools & repairs to prepare your own answers to.