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A2 verb 8 min read

填表

tián biǎo

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 填表 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 填表 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to understand '填表' as a simple command. You will mostly hear this at places like a hotel front desk or an airport. You should recognize that '填' means the action of writing in the boxes and '表' is the paper itself. For an A1 learner, sentences like '请填表' (Please fill out the form) or '我不喜欢填表' (I don't like filling out forms) are sufficient. You don't need to worry about complex grammar; just treat '填表' as a single block of meaning that means 'doing paperwork.' Focus on the visual of someone handing you a pen and a paper—that is the '填表' moment.

At the A2 level, you should start using '填表' in your own sentences to describe daily activities. You can use it with basic time expressions like '现在' (now) or '昨天' (yesterday). You should also be able to use resultative complements like '填好了' (filled out/finished). For example, '我还没填好表' (I haven't finished filling out the form yet). You should also learn the basic measure word '张' (zhāng) for forms, as in '请给我一张表' (Please give me a form). This level focuses on survival Chinese, where being able to ask '在哪里填表？' (Where do I fill out the form?) is a vital skill for navigating public services.

At the B1 level, you should understand the verb-object (VO) nature of '填表.' This means you can separate the two words to add details. For instance, '填一份很长的表' (fill out a very long form). You will also start encountering more specific types of forms like '申请表' (application form) or '登记表' (registration form). You should be comfortable using the '把' construction: '请把这张表填了' (Please fill out this form). At this stage, you should also be able to explain *why* you are filling the form, such as for a bank account or a job, using '为了' (for the purpose of).

At the B2 level, you move beyond simple forms to more complex administrative tasks. You should distinguish between '填表' (the act) and '填写' (the formal process of entering data). You might use this word in professional contexts, such as discussing office workflows or bureaucratic procedures. You should be able to use '填表' in complex sentences with conjunctions like '虽然...但是...' (Although... but...). For example, '虽然填表很麻烦，但是这是必须的' (Although filling out forms is troublesome, it is necessary). You should also recognize related terms like '填报' (tiánbào) for official reporting and '补填' (bǔtián) for filling in missing information later.

At the C1 level, you should be able to discuss the nuances of '填表' in specialized fields such as law, medicine, or high-level business. You will understand how '填表' fits into broader concepts like '行政程序' (administrative procedures). You can use the word idiomatically or in formal written reports. For example, you might analyze the efficiency of '电子填表' (electronic form filling) vs '纸质填表' (paper form filling). You should also be aware of the social implications of form-filling in China, such as the '档案' (dàng'àn) system, and how '填表' is the primary way individuals interact with the state's record-keeping apparatus.

At the C2 level, '填表' becomes a point of departure for philosophical or sociological discussion. You might discuss the 'reduction of a person to a form' or the 'digitization of the self' through the lens of constant data entry. You would use the term fluently in academic papers or high-level debates about bureaucracy, governance, and data privacy. At this level, you are not just using the word; you are analyzing the culture of '填表' in Chinese society. You would be expected to understand extremely formal variations and legal terminology related to the accuracy and liability of information provided when '填表'.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

填表 in 30 Seconds

A foundational A2 verb for completing paperwork.
A verb-object (VO) structure: 填 (fill) + 表 (form).
Essential for banks, hospitals, and immigration.
Increasingly refers to digital/online registrations.

The Chinese term 填表 (tián biǎo) is a common verb-object compound that literally translates to 'fill form.' In everyday life, it is the standard way to describe the act of completing a document, whether physical or digital, by providing required information. This term is foundational for anyone navigating life in a Chinese-speaking environment, as it applies to everything from opening a bank account to checking into a hotel or applying for a visa.

Literal Breakdown: 填 (tián) means to fill in, to stuff, or to pad. 表 (biǎo) refers to a form, a list, or a table. Together, they form the action of populating a blank document with data.

In modern contexts, 填表 is used not just for paper forms but also for online registrations. When you are on a website and need to enter your username, password, and email, a Chinese speaker might still refer to this process as 填表. It is a versatile phrase that spans various levels of formality, though in very formal legal or governmental contexts, you might encounter the slightly more formal version, 填写表格 (tiánxiě biǎogé).

办理护照的第一步是填表。 (The first step to applying for a passport is filling out a form.)

Culturally, the act of 填表 in China often involves very specific information. For instance, you might be asked for your '籍贯' (ancestral home) or '政治面貌' (political status), fields that are less common in Western forms. Understanding how to 填表 correctly is seen as a sign of literacy and social competence. In a hospital, the nurse might hand you a clipboard and say, '请先填表' (Please fill out the form first). In a job interview, the HR manager might ask, '你填好表了吗？' (Have you finished filling out the form?).

Social Context: In social settings, the term can sometimes carry a nuance of bureaucracy or tediousness. If someone says '又要填表' (I have to fill out a form again), they are likely expressing minor frustration with administrative hurdles.

Because 填表 is a verb-object (VO) construction, it can be separated. For example, you can say '填一张表' (fill out one form) or '填完表' (finish filling the form). This grammatical flexibility is key to using the word naturally. It is also important to note that '表' is the object, so you cannot directly follow '填表' with another object like '填表名字'; instead, you would say '在表上填名字' (fill in the name on the form).

Using 填表 (tián biǎo) correctly requires an understanding of its structure as a verb-object (VO) verb. This means that if you want to add modifiers or duration, they usually go between '填' and '表'. For example, to say 'filling out forms for three hours,' you would say '填了三个小时的表'.

请在这里填表，填完后交给窗口。 (Please fill out the form here and hand it to the window when finished.)

In imperative sentences, 填表 is often preceded by '请' (please) or '需要' (need to). It is frequently used with resultative complements like '好' (hǎo) or '完' (wán) to indicate completion. '填好表' implies the form is completed correctly and ready for submission, while '填完表' simply means the act of writing on the form is finished.

Common Grammar Patterns: 1. [Subject] + [Place] + 填表 (e.g., 我在银行填表).
2. [Subject] + 正在 + 填表 (e.g., 他正在填表).
3. 请 + 填一下 + 表 (e.g., 请填一下表 - Please fill out the form briefly/quickly).

When dealing with multiple forms, you can use the measure word '张' (zhāng) or '份' (fèn). '填一张表' is very common for a single sheet of paper. '填一份表' or '填一套表' might be used for a set of documents, such as for a mortgage or university application. If you are describing the process of filling out specific information *inside* the form, you switch to the verb '填写' (tiánxiě) or '填上' (tiánshàng). For example: '请在姓名栏填上你的名字' (Please fill in your name in the name column).

In passive constructions, you might hear '表填好了' (The form is filled out). The object '表' moves to the front for emphasis. This is very common in spoken Chinese when reporting the status of a task. Another variation is '把表填一下' (Take the form and fill it out), using the '把' (bǎ) construction to indicate a specific action being performed on the object.

You will encounter 填表 (tián biǎo) in almost every administrative setting in a Chinese-speaking country. It is one of the first words a foreigner learns because it is ubiquitous at entry points and service centers. Here are the primary locations where this word is spoken daily:

1. Government Offices & Immigration: Upon arrival at a Chinese airport, you may hear '请填入境卡' (Please fill out the arrival card). While '填表' is the general term, '填卡' (tián kǎ) is used for cards. At the local police station for residence registration, the officer will say, '来，填个表' (Come, fill out a form).

In hospitals (医院 - yīyuàn), the registration desk (挂号处 - guàhào chù) is a prime location for 填表. Before you can see a doctor, you must fill out a basic information form. Nurses will often point to a stack of papers and say '先去那边填表' (Go over there and fill out a form first). This is often the most stressful time to hear the word, as you might be feeling unwell while trying to navigate complex characters like '过敏史' (allergy history).

银行职员：‘先生，开户需要填表。’ (Bank clerk: 'Sir, opening an account requires filling out a form.')

In the workplace, HR (人力资源 - rénlì zīyuán) will ask new employees to 填表 for insurance, tax, and employee records. During job fairs, recruiters will hand out forms and say '感兴趣的话可以填个表' (If you're interested, you can fill out a form). Even in schools, parents are constantly asked to 填表 for various activities or health checks. Modern digital versions often use the phrase '在线填表' (online form filling), which you will see in WeChat groups (微信群) where a link is shared to collect data from members.

For English speakers, the most common mistakes with 填表 (tián biǎo) stem from the difference between the English 'fill out a form' (which can take an object) and the Chinese VO structure.

Mistake #1: Adding an object after '填表': Incorrect: 我填表我的名字 (Wǒ tiánbiǎo wǒ de míngzi).
Correct: 我在表上填我的名字 (Wǒ zài biǎo shàng tián wǒ de míngzi) or 我填写了我的名字.
Explanation: '表' is already the object of the verb '填'. You cannot have two direct objects in this way.

Another frequent error is using the wrong verb. Some learners try to use '写表' (xiě biǎo - write form). While understandable, it sounds unnatural. '写' means to write, but '填' specifically means to populate a space. If you say '写表', it sounds like you are designing or drawing the layout of the table itself, rather than completing it with data.

Don't say: 补表 (bǔ biǎo) when you mean to complete a form. '补' means to patch or supplement. Use 填好 or 填完.

Confusing 填表 (tián biǎo) with 列表 (liè biǎo) is another pitfall for beginners. 列表 is a noun meaning 'a list' or a verb meaning 'to list'. If you are asked to '填表', you are filling a pre-existing structure. If you are asked to '列表', you are creating the list from scratch. Finally, pay attention to the tones. 'tián' (2nd tone) and 'biǎo' (3rd tone). Saying 'tiàn' (4th tone) might make it sound like '电' (electricity), leading to confusion in noisy environments like a bank.

While 填表 is the most common term, several synonyms and related terms exist depending on the context and formality.

填写 (tiánxiě): This is more formal and is a transitive verb. You can say '填写申请表' (Fill out the application form). It is preferred in written instructions and professional emails.
填报 (tiánbào): Often used for official reporting or submitting data to an authority, such as '填报志愿' (filling out university preferences) or '填报税单' (filing tax forms). It implies a sense of 'reporting' (报).

For specific types of forms, the object '表' might be replaced by a more specific noun:

填单 (tián dān): Used for slips or vouchers, like a bank deposit slip (存款单) or an express delivery slip (快递单).
填卡 (tián kǎ): Used for cards, like a registration card or a feedback card.
登记 (dēngjì): This means 'to register'. Often, the instruction '请登记' (Please register) implies the action of 填表.

When comparing 填表 and 填写, 填表 is the 'what' (the activity), while 填写 is often used for the 'how' or the specific content. For example, '他在填表' (He is filling a form) vs '他在表格上填写个人信息' (He is filling in personal information on the form). In a casual setting, 填表 is always the safe bet.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient China, 'forms' were often written on bamboo slips. The act of 'filling' them was quite literal, as ink had to be applied to the physical surface of the wood.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tjɛn bjaʊ/

US /tjɛn bjaʊ/

Both syllables carry equal stress, but the third tone on 'biǎo' often makes it sound more prominent.

Rhymes With

tián: 连 (lián), 钱 (qián), 年 (nián), 边 (biān) biǎo: 小 (xiǎo), 了 (liǎo), 鸟 (niǎo), 少 (shǎo)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'tián' as 'tiān' (1st tone), which means 'sky'.
Pronouncing 'biǎo' as 'biào' (4th tone).
Forgetting the 'i' glide in 'tián', making it sound like 'tan'.
Not dipping low enough on the 3rd tone of 'biǎo'.
Aspirating the 'b' in 'biǎo' too much (it should be unaspirated like 'p' in 'spot').

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The characters are relatively simple for A2 learners.

Writing 3/5

Characters like '表' require practice to get the stroke order right.

Speaking 2/5

Tones are manageable but 'tián' and 'biǎo' need clear distinction.

Listening 1/5

Very easy to recognize in context (banks, offices).

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

写 (write) 名 (name) 纸 (paper) 请 (please) 这 (this)

Learn Next

申请 (apply) 签字 (sign) 护照 (passport) 银行 (bank) 信息 (information)

Advanced

繁琐 (tedious) 审批 (approval) 合规 (compliance) 电子化 (digitization) 隐私 (privacy)

Grammar to Know

Verb-Object (VO) Separation

填了一张表 (Filled one form)

Resultative Complements

填好 (Finished correctly), 填完 (Finished action)

The 'Ba' Construction

把他给你的表填了 (Fill the form he gave you)

Directional Complements

填上去 (Fill it in/up)

Manner Adverbs with 'De'

填得很认真 (Filled very seriously)

Examples by Level

请填表。

Please fill out the form.

Simple command: Verb + Object.

我要填表吗？

Do I need to fill out a form?

Question with '吗'.

他在填表。

He is filling out a form.

Present continuous using '在'.

这里填表。

Fill out the form here.

Location + Verb.

我不填表。

I am not filling out the form.

Negation with '不'.

填表很简单。

Filling out the form is very simple.

Subject (Verb phrase) + Adjective.

请给我一张表。

Please give me a form.

Use of measure word '张'.

你填表了吗？

Did you fill out the form?

Past action with '了'.

我正在银行填表。

I am currently filling out a form at the bank.

Adding a location to the action.

这封信需要填表。

This letter requires a form to be filled.

Use of '需要' (need).

我已经填好表了。

I have already finished filling out the form.

Resultative complement '好'.

请用黑色的笔填表。

Please use a black pen to fill out the form.

Using '用' (with/use) to specify a tool.

填表要花多长时间？

How long does it take to fill out the form?

Asking for duration.

去那边的桌子填表。

Go to that table over there to fill out the form.

Directional instruction.

你填错了，要重新填表。

You filled it out wrong; you need to fill it out again.

'重新' (again) + Verb.

填表的时候请保持安静。

Please keep quiet while filling out the form.

'...的时候' (while/during).

办理会员卡之前必须先填表。

You must fill out a form before applying for a membership card.

Use of '之前' (before) and '必须' (must).

这张表太复杂了，我不会填。

This form is too complicated; I don't know how to fill it out.

Adjective + '太...了'.

他帮我填了一份申请表。

He helped me fill out an application form.

Benefactive '帮' (help).

你把这张表填了，然后交给我。

Fill out this form and then give it to me.

The '把' construction for specific objects.

填表是申请签证最麻烦的部分。

Filling out forms is the most troublesome part of applying for a visa.

Superlative '最'.

现在的年轻人更喜欢在线填表。

Young people nowadays prefer filling out forms online.

Comparison with '更' (more).

请确认你填表的信息都是真实的。

Please confirm that all the information you filled in the form is true.

Relative clause describing information.

虽然他很忙，但还是帮我填了表。

Although he was busy, he still helped me fill out the form.

Conjunction '虽然...但...'.

在填表过程中，如果有任何疑问请随时提问。

During the process of filling out the form, please feel free to ask if you have any questions.

Use of '过程中' (during the process).

由于填表不规范，他的申请被退回了。

Due to irregular form filling, his application was returned.

Cause and effect with '由于' (due to) and passive '被'.

为了提高效率，公司推行了电子填表系统。

In order to improve efficiency, the company implemented an electronic form-filling system.

Purpose clause '为了'.

填表时请务必字迹工整。

Please make sure your handwriting is neat when filling out the form.

Adverb '务必' (must/be sure to).

他花了一个下午的时间来填这些表。

He spent an entire afternoon filling out these forms.

Time duration '花...时间'.

除了填表，你还需要提供身份证复印件。

In addition to filling out the form, you also need to provide a copy of your ID card.

'除了...还...' (in addition to).

有些表格可以在网上下载后手动填表。

Some forms can be downloaded online and then filled out manually.

Potentiality with '可以'.

填表不仅仅是写字，更是一种责任。

Filling out a form is not just writing; it's a responsibility.

'不仅仅...更...' (not just... but also...).

填表时若有隐瞒，将承担相应的法律后果。

If there is any concealment when filling out the form, you will bear the corresponding legal consequences.

Conditional '若' (if) and '将' (will).

这种繁琐的填表程序早已不适应现代社会的发展。

This tedious form-filling procedure has long been unsuited to the development of modern society.

Complex subject and formal verb '不适应'.

通过填表，我们可以初步了解申请人的基本情况。

Through form filling, we can gain a preliminary understanding of the applicant's basic situation.

Preposition '通过' (through/by).

填表内容的真实性直接关系到审核的结果。

The authenticity of the information filled in the form is directly related to the result of the audit.

Abstract subject '真实性'.

在某些偏远地区，纸质填表依然是主流的登记方式。

In some remote areas, paper form filling remains the mainstream method of registration.

Formal adverb '依然' (still).

请在填表前仔细阅读背面的填表说明。

Please read the form-filling instructions on the back carefully before filling out the form.

Prepositional phrase '在...前'.

填表不仅是一项行政要求，也是数据采集的重要环节。

Filling out forms is not only an administrative requirement but also a key part of data collection.

'不仅...也是...'.

他因填表时的一个疏忽而错失了面试机会。

He missed the interview opportunity due to a single oversight while filling out the form.

Cause with '因...而...'.

填表这一行为在某种程度上反映了官僚体系的运行逻辑。

The act of filling out forms to some extent reflects the operational logic of the bureaucratic system.

Subject nominalization '填表这一行为'.

数字化转型旨在消除冗余的填表环节，实现政务透明。

Digital transformation aims to eliminate redundant form-filling steps and achieve government transparency.

Formal verb '旨在' (aims to).

填表过程中所涉及的个人隐私保护问题日益受到关注。

The issue of personal privacy protection involved in the form-filling process is receiving increasing attention.

Passive relative clause '所涉及的'.

过度填表不仅增加了基层负担，还滋生了形式主义。

Excessive form-filling not only increases the burden on grassroots levels but also breeds formalism.

Socio-political vocabulary '形式主义'.

填表不仅是信息的传递，更是权力的确认过程。

Filling out forms is not just the transmission of information; it is a process of confirming power.

Philosophical '不仅是...更是...'.

在数据驱动的时代，填表被赋予了全新的社会学意义。

In the data-driven era, form-filling has been endowed with entirely new sociological significance.

Passive '被赋予' (endowed with).

精准扶贫要求填表必须做到真实、准确、无误。

Targeted poverty alleviation requires that form filling must be true, accurate, and error-free.

Triple adjective emphasis.

填表程序的简化是提升营商环境的关键举措之一。

The simplification of form-filling procedures is one of the key measures to improve the business environment.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

Common Collocations

在线填表

手动填表

现场填表

重复填表

必须填表

认真填表

代为填表

填表说明

填表日期

填表处

Common Phrases

填个表

— Casual way to say 'fill out a form'.

来，填个表就行了。

填一张表

— To fill out one specific form.

我只需要填一张表吗？

填完表

— To finish the act of filling the form.

填完表后请交给我。

填好表

— To complete the form correctly.

你填好表了吗？

填错了

— To make a mistake while filling.

糟糕，我填错了。

重新填表

— To fill out the form again.

如果写错了，就得重新填表。

正在填表

— In the middle of filling a form.

他正在填表，请稍等。

不用填表

— No need to fill out a form.

老客户不用填表。

麻烦填表

— Polite request to fill a form.

麻烦您填一下表。

扫码填表

— Scan a QR code to fill a form.

现在大家都扫码填表。

Often Confused With

填表 vs 列表 (liè biǎo)

Means 'to list' or 'a list', not the act of filling a form.

填表 vs 电表 (diàn biǎo)

Means 'electricity meter'. Sounds similar but totally different.

填表 vs 表白 (biǎo bái)

Means 'to confess love'. Uses the same 'biao' but is unrelated to forms.

Idioms & Expressions

"照章办事"

— To act according to the rules. Filling forms is part of this.

我们只能照章办事，请您填表。

Formal

"一丝不苟"

— Meticulous; used to describe someone filling a form very carefully.

他填表时一丝不苟。

Literary

"名实相符"

— Name matches reality; important for filling out forms accurately.

填表要做到名实相符。

Formal

"例行公事"

— Routine business; often how people view filling out forms.

填表只是例行公事。

Neutral

"实事求是"

— To seek truth from facts; the standard for filling forms.

填表一定要实事求是。

Formal

"画蛇添足"

— To add feet to a snake; filling in unnecessary info on a form.

填表要简洁，不要画蛇添足。

Colloquial

"入乡随俗"

— When in Rome; filling forms as required in a new country.

到了中国就要入乡随俗，按规矩填表。

Neutral

"一目了然"

— Clear at a glance; how a well-filled form should be.

他填的表一目了然。

Neutral

"按部就班"

— Follow the prescribed order; the process of filling a form step by step.

填表需要按部就班地进行。

Neutral

"文不对题"

— Irrelevant; when the info filled doesn't match the question.

你填的内容文不对题。

Neutral

Easily Confused

填表 vs 填写

Both mean fill out.

填写 is more formal and can take a direct object (填写姓名).

请填写您的详细地址。

填表 vs 填补

Both start with 填.

填补 means to fill a gap or vacancy, not a form.

填补市场空白。

填表 vs 登记

Both involve registration.

登记 is the goal; 填表 is the method.

请先登记个人信息。

填表 vs 填报

Both involve filling.

填报 implies reporting to a higher authority.

填报高考志愿。

填表 vs 录入

Both involve data.

录入 is specifically for typing into a computer.

把数据录入电脑。

Sentence Patterns

请[Action]。

请填表。

[Subject]在[Place][Action]。

我在银行填表。

把[Object]填了。

把这张表填了。

为了[Goal]，需要[Action]。

为了开户，需要填表。

通过[Method]，可以[Result]。

通过填表，可以登记信息。

[Subject]不仅是...更是...。

填表不仅是手续，更是责任。

[Subject][Action]好了。

我填好表了。

如果...就得...。

如果写错了，就得重新填表。

Word Family

Nouns

表格 (biǎogé - form/table)

表单 (biǎodān - form/list)

申请表 (shēnqǐngbiǎo - application form)

Verbs

填写 (tiánxiě - to fill out)

填补 (tiánbǔ - to fill a gap)

填充 (tiánchōng - to stuff/fill)

Adjectives

表面的 (biǎomiàn de - superficial/surface)

填满的 (tiánmǎn de - filled up)

签字 (qiānzì - to sign)

盖章 (gàizhāng - to stamp)

复印 (fùyìn - to photocopy)

提交 (tíjiāo - to submit)

审核 (shěnhé - to audit/review)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily administrative life.

Common Mistakes

我填表名字。 → 我填写名字。
You cannot put another object after the VO compound '填表'.
我写表。 → 我填表。
In Chinese, you 'fill' a form, you don't 'write' it (unless you are the designer).
填表好。 → 填好表。
Resultative complements like '好' must come immediately after the verb '填'.
一张填表。 → 一张表。
填表 is an action. Use '表' if you are referring to the physical object.
他在列表。 → 他在填表。
列表 means making a list from scratch; 填表 is completing a form.

Tips

VO Structure

Remember 填表 is Verb + Object. Modifiers go in the middle, like 填一张表.

Ancestral Home

When you see 籍贯, it means where your family is from, not necessarily where you were born.

Black Ink

Official forms in China almost always require black ink. Carry a black pen!

QR Codes

If someone says 填表 and points to a QR code, they want you to fill it on your phone.

Resultative

Use 填好 to show you did it right, not just that you finished writing.

Helping Others

If an elderly person struggles, you can ask '需要帮您填表吗？'

Neatness

Write clearly (字迹工整). Forms are often scanned by OCR software.

Tone Check

Distinguish tián (2nd) from tiān (1st). Don't say 'fill the sky'!

Politeness

Always start with '请' when asking someone to fill a form.

Bank Slips

For small bank slips, 填单 (tián dān) is more common than 填表.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Tian' as 'filling a TIN' and 'Biao' as 'a BILL'. You are filling a tin with bills (forms).

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing in a field (土) trying to fill a hole with a giant piece of paper (表).

Word Web

填 (Fill) 表 (Form) 填写 (Fill out) 表格 (The form itself) 填好 (Finished filling) 填错 (Filled wrong) 在线填表 (Online) 申请表 (Application)

Challenge

Go to a Chinese website (like Baidu) and find a sign-up page. Identify the word '填' or '填写'.

Word Origin

The character 填 (tián) consists of the 'earth' radical (土) and 'zhēn' (真) for sound/meaning, originally meaning to fill a hole with earth. 表 (biǎo) originally depicted an outer garment made of fur, symbolizing the 'outside' or 'surface.'

Original meaning: Filling up a surface or list.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Be careful when filling out forms regarding political or religious affiliation in official contexts.

In the West, we say 'fill out' or 'fill in.' In Chinese, you only 'fill' (填). We also focus more on privacy, whereas Chinese forms might ask for more personal details.

Official government portals like 'State Council Online'. Common tropes in Chinese sitcoms about the pain of bureaucracy. Modern apps like 'Jinshuju' (Gold Data) used for 填表.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Bank

我想开户 (I want to open an account)
填哪张表？ (Which form to fill?)
这里签字 (Sign here)
身份证 (ID card)

At the Hospital

挂号 (Register)
填个人信息 (Fill personal info)
有过敏吗？ (Any allergies?)
在这儿等 (Wait here)

At the Airport

入境卡 (Arrival card)
填中文还是英文？ (Fill in Chinese or English?)
笔借我一下 (Lend me a pen)
填好了 (Finished)

Job Application

简历 (Resume)
应聘登记表 (Application form)
工作经历 (Work experience)
联系方式 (Contact info)

Online Registration

扫码 (Scan code)
输入验证码 (Enter verification code)
点击提交 (Click submit)
必填项 (Required field)

Conversation Starters

"请问，办理这个业务需要填表吗？"

"这张表上的‘籍贯’应该怎么填？"

"你填好表了吗？我们一起去交吧。"

"现在的表格怎么都要在手机上填？"

"麻烦帮我看看，我这张表填得对不对。"

Journal Prompts

今天我去银行填表，发现我的中文名字写得不太好看。我觉得...

描述一次你在国外填表的经历，遇到了什么困难？

你喜欢纸质填表还是在线填表？为什么？

如果一个表格问你‘你最大的梦想是什么’，你会怎么填？

写一写你第一次在中国填表时的心情。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

The most common measure word is 张 (zhāng) for a single sheet. For a set of documents, use 份 (fèn).

No, that is incorrect. You should say 填写名字 or 在表上填名字. 填表 is a verb-object phrase that is already complete.

Yes! You can say 在线填表 (online form filling) or 网上填表.

You can say 我填错了 (I filled it wrong) and ask for a new one: 请再给我一张表.

Use 填好了 (tián hǎo le) or 填完了 (tián wán le).

填 is more casual and often used in VO form (填表). 填写 is more formal and often used as a transitive verb (填写地址).

姓名 (Name), 性别 (Gender), 年龄 (Age), 电话 (Phone), 籍贯 (Ancestral home).

Yes, you can say 填问卷 (fill a questionnaire), which is a specific type of 填表.

Say: 请问在哪里填表？ (Qǐngwèn zài nǎlǐ tiánbiǎo?)

Usually yes. The phrase is 填完表后请签字 (Please sign after filling the form).