Library in Chinese 图书馆
túshūguǎn
Library in Chinese is 图书馆 (tú shū guǎn).
Also searched for as: library, borrow a book, librarian.
Where do you go to study in peace? 15 essential at the library 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 library in Chinese is 图书馆 (tú shū guǎn), literally 'picture and book hall'. These words help you use one confidently, whether you're there to 借书 (jiè shū), borrow books, find a quiet 自习室 (zì xí shì), study room, or 查 (chá), search the catalogue. At Chinese universities the library is a popular place to revise, so you'll also hear about 占座 (zhàn zuò), saving a seat by leaving your things on it.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 图书馆 | tú shū guǎn | library |
| 借书 | jiè shū | to borrow a book |
| 还书 | huán shū | to return a book |
| 借书证 | jiè shū zhèng | library card |
| 书架 | shū jià | bookshelf |
| 自习室 | zì xí shì | study room |
| 占座 | zhàn zuò | to save a seat |
| 阅览室 | yuè lǎn shì | reading room |
| 过期 | guò qī | overdue |
| 查 | chá | to look up; to search |
| 复印 | fù yìn | to photocopy |
| 小声 | xiǎo shēng | quietly |
| 开放时间 | kāi fàng shí jiān | opening hours |
| 资料 | zī liào | materials; information |
| 安静 | ān jìng | quiet |
Usage tips
- In 还书 (huán shū), to return a book, 还 is read huán; it's the same character as hái, still, so read it carefully in context.
- 这本书能借多久？ (zhè běn shū néng jiè duō jiǔ), how long can I borrow this book for?, is the most useful question to ask at the desk.
- Library signs often say 请保持安静 (qǐng bǎo chí ān jìng), please keep quiet; in conversation people say 小声点儿 (xiǎo shēng diǎnr), keep your voice down.
Common mistakes
- Learners call a library 书店 (shū diàn), but that's a bookshop where you buy books; a library is 图书馆 (tú shū guǎn).
- 'The book is overdue' is 这本书过期了 (zhè běn shū guò qī le), not 迟到了, because 迟到 (chí dào) is only for people arriving late.
Mini dialogue
- A你好，我想借这两本书。Nǐ hǎo, wǒ xiǎng jiè zhè liǎng běn shū.Hello, I'd like to borrow these two books.
- B好的，请出示借书证。Hǎo de, qǐng chū shì jiè shū zhèng.Sure, can I see your library card, please?
- A给你。可以借多久？Gěi nǐ. Kě yǐ jiè duō jiǔ?Here you are. How long can I keep them?
- B一个月。请按时还书，过期要罚款。Yī ge yuè. Qǐng àn shí huán shū, guò qī yào fá kuǎn.A month. Please bring them back on time, there's a fine if they're overdue.
Example sentences
- 我在图书馆学习。I study in the library.
- 我去图书馆借书。I'm going to borrow books from the library.
- 这本书下周要还。This book is due back next week.
- 请出示借书证。Please show your library card.
- 小说在三号书架。Novels are on shelf three.
- 自习室里很安静。It's very quiet in the study room.
- 他每天早上去图书馆占座。He goes to the library every morning to save a seat.
- 杂志在阅览室。The magazines are in the reading room.
- 这本书过期了，要罚款。This book is overdue, there's a fine.
- 在电脑上查一下这本书。Search for the book on the computer.
- 我想复印几页。I'd like to photocopy a few pages.
- 在图书馆要小声说话。Speak quietly in the library.
- 图书馆的开放时间是几点到几点？What are the library's opening hours?
- 我在找写论文的资料。I'm looking for material for my essay.
- 请保持安静。Please keep quiet.
Practise speaking
Ready to use these words? The At the library speaking island has 8 everyday questions about at the library to prepare your own answers to.