Classroom in Chinese 教室里
jiàoshì lǐ
Classroom in Chinese is 教室 (jiào shì).
Also searched for as: classroom, blackboard, desk.
What's in the room where you learn? 15 essential in the classroom 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.
The word for classroom in Chinese is 教室 (jiào shì), and these words describe everything in it, from the 黑板 (hēi bǎn), blackboard, to your 座位 (zuò wèi), seat. They also cover routines that are distinctive in Chinese schools, such as the 班长 (bān zhǎng), class monitor, your 同桌 (tóng zhuō), the classmate you share a desk with, and 值日 (zhí rì), taking turns to clean the room. Many learners hear them first in their own Chinese lessons.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 黑板 | hēi bǎn | blackboard |
| 白板 | bái bǎn | whiteboard |
| 讲台 | jiǎng tái | teacher's platform |
| 课桌 | kè zhuō | desk (school) |
| 座位 | zuò wèi | seat |
| 投影仪 | tóu yǐng yí | projector |
| 粉笔 | fěn bǐ | chalk |
| 地图 | dì tú | map |
| 课表 | kè biǎo | timetable |
| 同桌 | tóng zhuō | desk mate |
| 班长 | bān zhǎng | class monitor |
| 值日 | zhí rì | to be on duty (cleaning) |
| 举手 | jǔ shǒu | to raise your hand |
| 点名 | diǎn míng | to take the register |
| 铃声 | líng shēng | bell |
Usage tips
- In many Chinese schools pupils sit in pairs at shared desks, which is why 同桌 (tóng zhuō), desk mate, is such a familiar word and often a lasting friendship.
- 值日 (zhí rì) is a rota where pupils take turns to sweep and tidy the classroom; 今天谁值日？ (jīn tiān shéi zhí rì) asks whose turn it is.
- 讲台 (jiǎng tái) is the raised platform at the front where the teacher stands; 上讲台 (shàng jiǎng tái) means going up to the front, for example to write an answer on the board.
Common mistakes
- Learners say 一个地图; the usual measure word for maps is 张 (zhāng), as in 一张地图 (yī zhāng dì tú).
- 班长 (bān zhǎng) is a pupil, the class monitor, not the teacher; the teacher in charge of a class is the 班主任 (bān zhǔ rèn).
Mini dialogue
- A铃声响了，快回座位！Líng shēng xiǎng le, kuài huí zuò wèi!The bell's gone, back to your seat, quick!
- B等一下，今天我值日，还要擦黑板。Děng yī xià, jīn tiān wǒ zhí rì, hái yào cā hēi bǎn.Hang on, I'm on duty today, I still have to wipe the board.
- A快点儿，老师已经在点名了。Kuài diǎnr, lǎo shī yǐ jīng zài diǎn míng le.Hurry up, the teacher's already taking the register.
- B好，我马上来。Hǎo, wǒ mǎ shàng lái.OK, I'm coming.
Example sentences
- 老师在黑板上写字。The teacher is writing on the board.
- 白板上有今天的作业。Today's homework is on the whiteboard.
- 老师站在讲台上。The teacher is standing at the front.
- 把书放在课桌上。Put your books on your desk.
- 这是你的座位。This is your seat.
- 打开投影仪看视频。Turn on the projector to watch the video.
- 粉笔用完了。The chalk has run out.
- 墙上挂着一张世界地图。There's a world map on the wall.
- 你看看课表，明天有什么课？Check the timetable, what lessons do we have tomorrow?
- 我和同桌是好朋友。My desk mate and I are good friends.
- 班长帮老师发作业。The class monitor hands out the homework for the teacher.
- 今天我值日。I'm on cleaning duty today.
- 知道答案的请举手。Put your hand up if you know the answer.
- 老师在点名。The teacher is taking the register.
- 铃声响了，下课了！The bell's gone, class is over!
Practise speaking
Ready to use these words? The In the classroom speaking island has 8 everyday questions about in the classroom to prepare your own answers to.