When you want to write something in Chinese, you will probably use a pen. A very common pen is a ballpoint pen. In Chinese, we say 圆珠笔 (yuán zhū bǐ) for "ballpoint pen."
The first two characters, 圆珠 (yuán zhū), mean "ball" or "bead." The last character, 笔 (bǐ), means "pen." So, it's literally a "round bead pen."
When discussing stationery, the term for a ballpoint pen in Chinese is 圆珠笔 (yuánzhūbǐ). It's a very common everyday item, and you'll encounter this word frequently if you're talking about school supplies, office items, or just asking someone for a writing implement.
The characters literally break down to 圆 (yuán) meaning 'round', 珠 (zhū) meaning 'bead' or 'pearl', and 笔 (bǐ) meaning 'pen'. So, a 'round bead pen'—a very descriptive name!
You can use it in sentences like “我需要一支圆珠笔” (Wǒ xūyào yī zhī yuánzhūbǐ – I need a ballpoint pen) or “请把圆珠笔递给我” (Qǐng bǎ yuánzhūbǐ dì gěi wǒ – Please hand me the ballpoint pen).
圆珠笔 in 30 Seconds
- Common writing tool
- Uses oil-based ink
- Has a small rotating ball tip
§ What is a 圆珠笔?
Let's talk about a very common and useful Chinese word: 圆珠笔 (yuánzhūbǐ). This word means 'ballpoint pen'. It's an essential item in daily life, so it's a good one to know for basic conversations.
- DEFINITION
- 圆珠笔 (yuánzhūbǐ): ballpoint pen.
You'll hear and use 圆珠笔 whenever you're talking about writing instruments. Whether you're in a classroom, an office, a stationery shop, or just asking someone for something to write with, this word will come in handy.
§ When do people use it?
People use 圆珠笔 all the time. Think about any situation where you'd use a pen in English – that's when you'd use 圆珠笔 in Chinese. It's the standard, everyday pen.
我需要一支圆珠笔来写字。(Wǒ xūyào yī zhī yuánzhūbǐ lái xiězì.) - I need a ballpoint pen to write.
This is a very common sentence you might use. If you're asking for a pen, this is how you'd do it.
这支圆珠笔很好用。(Zhè zhī yuánzhūbǐ hěn hǎo yòng.) - This ballpoint pen is very good to use (easy to use).
You can use it to describe a pen's quality, too. '好用' (hǎo yòng) means 'easy to use' or 'good to use'.
§ Breaking down the word
Let's look at the characters:
- 圆 (yuán): This means 'round' or 'circle'.
- 珠 (zhū): This means 'pearl' or 'bead'.
- 笔 (bǐ): This is the general word for 'pen' or 'writing brush'.
Understanding the individual characters can often help you remember the full word and even guess the meaning of other words that use the same characters.
§ More examples in context
Here are a few more sentences to show you how 圆珠笔 is used:
请借我一支圆珠笔，好吗？(Qǐng jiè wǒ yī zhī yuánzhūbǐ, hǎo ma?) - Please lend me a ballpoint pen, okay?
This is a polite way to ask to borrow a pen.
我的圆珠笔没墨了。(Wǒ de yuánzhūbǐ méi mò le.) - My ballpoint pen is out of ink.
A common problem! '没墨' (méi mò) means 'out of ink'.
Remember, while 笔 (bǐ) is a general term for 'pen' or 'writing tool', 圆珠笔 specifically refers to a ballpoint pen. There are other types of pens too, but 圆珠笔 is the most common one you'll encounter for everyday writing.
Keep practicing these simple sentences. The more you use 圆珠笔 in context, the more natural it will feel. Don't be afraid to make mistakes; that's how you learn!
Fun Fact
The term '圆珠笔' became widely adopted in Chinese as ballpoint pens gained popularity, often replacing traditional brushes or fountain pens for everyday writing. The direct descriptive nature of the name made it easily understandable to Chinese speakers.
Difficulty Rating
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short
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What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Nouns for objects can be used directly after numbers and classifiers to indicate quantity. For example, '一支圆珠笔' (yī zhī yuánzhūbǐ) means 'one ballpoint pen'.
我要买三支圆珠笔。 (Wǒ yào mǎi sān zhī yuánzhūbǐ.) - I want to buy three ballpoint pens.
Nouns can be modified by adjectives placed before them. For example, '这支红色的圆珠笔' (zhè zhī hóngsè de yuánzhūbǐ) means 'this red ballpoint pen'.
我的新圆珠笔很好用。 (Wǒ de xīn yuánzhūbǐ hěn hǎo yòng.) - My new ballpoint pen is very good to use.
Nouns can be used as the object of a verb. For example, '用圆珠笔写字' (yòng yuánzhūbǐ xiě zì) means 'to write characters with a ballpoint pen'.
他喜欢用圆珠笔画画。 (Tā xǐhuān yòng yuánzhūbǐ huà huà.) - He likes to draw with a ballpoint pen.
To ask 'what is this?', you can say '这是什么？' (Zhè shì shénme?). If the answer is a ballpoint pen, you'd say '这是一支圆珠笔。' (Zhè shì yī zhī yuánzhūbǐ.)
你用什么写字？ (Nǐ yòng shénme xiě zì?) - What do you write with? 我用圆珠笔写字。 (Wǒ yòng yuánzhūbǐ xiě zì.) - I write with a ballpoint pen.
To specify possession, you can use the particle '的' (de) after the possessor and before the noun. For example, '我的圆珠笔' (wǒ de yuánzhūbǐ) means 'my ballpoint pen'.
这是他的圆珠笔吗？ (Zhè shì tā de yuánzhūbǐ ma?) - Is this his ballpoint pen?
Examples by Level
请把那支红色的圆珠笔递给我。
Please pass me that red ballpoint pen.
我昨天买了一盒新的蓝色圆珠笔芯。
I bought a new box of blue ballpoint pen refills yesterday.
写这篇文章时，我发现我的圆珠笔没墨了。
While writing this article, I found my ballpoint pen ran out of ink.
这支圆珠笔写字很流畅，非常适合日常使用。
This ballpoint pen writes smoothly, very suitable for daily use.
他习惯用圆珠笔在笔记本上做笔记，而不是铅笔。
He is used to taking notes in his notebook with a ballpoint pen, not a pencil.
我总是随身携带一支圆珠笔，以防不时之需。
I always carry a ballpoint pen with me, just in case.
在签署重要文件时，通常建议使用圆珠笔而非中性笔。
When signing important documents, it's usually recommended to use a ballpoint pen rather than a gel pen.
这种圆珠笔不仅设计独特，而且书写体验也很好。
This type of ballpoint pen not only has a unique design but also offers a good writing experience.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
请给我一支圆珠笔。
Please give me a ballpoint pen.
我需要一支圆珠笔。
I need a ballpoint pen.
我的圆珠笔没墨水了。
My ballpoint pen is out of ink.
你有备用圆珠笔吗？
Do you have a spare ballpoint pen?
这支圆珠笔很好用。
This ballpoint pen is very good to use.
我用圆珠笔写信。
I write letters with a ballpoint pen.
他有一支漂亮的圆珠笔。
He has a beautiful ballpoint pen.
圆珠笔比铅笔方便。
Ballpoint pens are more convenient than pencils.
我把圆珠笔弄丢了。
I lost my ballpoint pen.
请用圆珠笔填写表格。
Please fill out the form with a ballpoint pen.
Word Origin
借词 (loanword) from Russian 'шариковая ручка' (shárikovaya ruchka), meaning 'ballpoint pen'. The word '圆珠笔' literally translates to 'round bead pen'. '圆珠' (yuánzhū) means 'round bead' or 'ball', and '笔' (bǐ) means 'pen'. This is a direct translation that describes the mechanism of a ballpoint pen.
Original meaning: ballpoint pen
Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)Cultural Context
The ballpoint pen (圆珠笔) is a ubiquitous writing instrument in China, used in schools, offices, and homes across the country. It has largely replaced traditional ink brushes and even fountain pens for daily use due to its convenience and affordability. While calligraphy with brushes remains an important art form, the <b>圆珠笔</b> is the practical choice for most written tasks, reflecting its integration into modern Chinese life.
Test Yourself 30 questions
Which item is usually used for writing?
A 圆珠笔 (yuán zhū bǐ) is a ballpoint pen, which is used for writing.
Choose the correct Chinese word for 'ballpoint pen'.
圆珠笔 (yuán zhū bǐ) directly translates to ballpoint pen.
我没有___，不能写字。
The sentence means 'I don't have a ___, I can't write.' You need a pen to write.
圆珠笔 (yuán zhū bǐ) is a type of food.
圆珠笔 (yuán zhū bǐ) is a ballpoint pen, an item for writing, not food.
You can use a 圆珠笔 (yuán zhū bǐ) to write on paper.
A 圆珠笔 (yuán zhū bǐ) is a ballpoint pen, which is commonly used to write on paper.
The pronunciation of 圆珠笔 (yuán zhū bǐ) is 'yuán zhū bǐ'.
The pinyin 'yuán zhū bǐ' correctly represents the pronunciation of 圆珠笔.
Listen to the sentence and identify what the speaker needs.
Listen to the sentence and understand the speaker's opinion about the ballpoint pen.
Listen to the request and identify the color of the ballpoint pen.
Read this aloud:
你的圆珠笔在哪里？
Focus: yuán zhū bǐ
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
这支圆珠笔多少钱？
Focus: duō shǎo qián
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我喜欢用圆珠笔写字。
Focus: xiě zì
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence introduces ownership. The correct order is 'This is my ballpoint pen.'
This sentence expresses a need. The correct order is 'I need a ballpoint pen.'
This sentence is a polite request. The correct order is 'Please give me your ballpoint pen.'
我的包里有三支___。
The sentence means 'I have three ___ in my bag.' '圆珠笔' (yuánzhūbǐ) means 'ballpoint pen', which fits the context of something one would carry in a bag for writing.
请给我一支___，我要写下这个电话号码。
The sentence means 'Please give me a ___, I need to write down this phone number.' '圆珠笔' (yuánzhūbǐ) is the correct item to use for writing a phone number.
老师用___在白板上写字。
The sentence means 'The teacher uses a ___ to write on the whiteboard.' While '马克笔' (marker) is often used on whiteboards, '圆珠笔' (ballpoint pen) can also be used for smaller notes, and among the given options, it's the most common writing instrument fitting the context of a teacher writing.
我更喜欢用___写字，因为它比铅笔更清晰。
The sentence means 'I prefer to write with a ___, because it's clearer than a pencil.' '圆珠笔' (yuánzhūbǐ) often provides clearer, darker lines than a pencil.
会议结束后，我们每个人都收到了一支公司定制的___。
The sentence means 'After the meeting, each of us received a customized company ___.' '圆珠笔' (yuánzhūbǐ) is a common promotional item or gift given at meetings.
我的___没水了，我得去买一支新的。
The sentence means 'My ___ ran out of ink, I need to go buy a new one.' '圆珠笔' (yuánzhūbǐ) is a common writing tool that runs out of ink.
This sentence describes someone quickly jotting down meeting points with a ballpoint pen. The order follows a typical subject-verb-object structure with additional descriptive elements.
The sentence highlights the smooth writing of the ballpoint pen and its essential role in daily work. The descriptive phrases lead to the concluding statement about its importance.
This is a polite request for a darker ballpoint pen for important documents. The question precedes the reason for the request.
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The term '圆珠笔' directly translates to 'round bead pen', referring to the ballpoint pen.
- Common writing tool
- Uses oil-based ink
- Has a small rotating ball tip
Example
我需要一支圆珠笔来写字。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More academic words
缺席
B1The state of being absent from a place or event where one is expected to be, such as a class, meeting, or ceremony.
抽象的
A2Abstract.
抽象地
B1In an abstract manner; conceptually.
艰深
B1Profound; abstruse; recondite.
学术性
A2Academic; scholarly; relating to education and scholarship.
学术化
B1Academic; characterized by formal study or research.
学术会议
A2Academic conference; a formal meeting for academic discussions.
学术交流
B1Exchange of ideas, information, and research among scholars.
学术期刊
B1A periodical publication containing scholarly articles.
教务处
A2Academic affairs office; department handling educational administration.
