A newspaper is a reliable, printed source of information that represents public discourse, serving as a pillar of traditional journalism and informed citizenship.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A printed publication containing news, features, and advertisements, usually issued daily or weekly.
- Used to refer to the physical object or the news organization itself.
- Neutral register, suitable for both formal writing and casual daily conversation.
- Common mistake is confusing it with 'news' (新闻), which refers only to the content.
- Culturally, reading newspapers is often associated with intellectualism and older generations in China.
Overview
“报纸”由“报”（报道/报告）和“纸”（纸张）组成，是人类信息传播史上的重要里程碑。它不仅仅是纸张，更代表了一种社会公器，承载着记录时代、监督社会与引导舆论的功能。在情感上，它常给人一种“知识性”、“严肃性”和“沉稳感”。
Usage Patterns
在现代汉语中，“报纸”一词既可指代具体的实物（那份报纸），也可作为抽象概念使用（看报纸是他的习惯）。口语中常简称为“报”，如“买份报”。在正式场合，它多指代某家特定的媒体机构，如《人民日报》或《纽约时报》。
Common Contexts
在工作环境中，报纸常用于行业动态分析；在社交媒体时代，由于信息碎片化，阅读纸质报纸被视为一种更有深度、更具仪式感的文化生活方式。老年群体依然保持着每日读报的习惯，而年轻人则更多通过报纸的官方APP获取信息。
Register & Tone
这是一个中性词，适用于任何场合。在正式报道中，它显得客观中立；在日常对话中，它显得平实自然。避免在形容极度碎片化的短讯时使用“报纸”一词，因为那更符合“推文”或“快讯”的语境。
Examples
我每天早上都要看报纸。
everydayI read the newspaper every morning.
这篇文章被多家报纸转载了。
formalThis article was reprinted by many newspapers.
帮我拿一下那份报纸。
informalHelp me grab that newspaper.
报纸是研究历史的重要史料。
academicNewspapers are important historical materials for research.
我们在报纸上刊登了招聘广告。
businessWe placed a job advertisement in the newspaper.
报纸上的铅字记录着时代的变迁。
literaryThe lead type on the newspaper records the changes of the era.
这份报纸的发行量很大。
businessThis newspaper has a large circulation.
他从报纸中剪下了一则新闻。
everydayHe cut a piece of news from the newspaper.
Common Collocations
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Use '报纸' when referring to the physical paper or the institution. It is a very neutral term. In modern contexts, it is often contrasted with digital media. Avoid using it to refer to short social media posts. It is formal enough for business but common enough for home. Regional usage is consistent across China.
Common Mistakes
Don't use '个' as a measure word. Don't confuse it with '新闻' (content). Don't assume newspapers are the primary source for everyone today. Don't use it to describe a single piece of news. Remember to use '份' for counting. Be aware that it is a noun, not a verb.
Tips
Use the correct measure word
Always use '份' (fèn) when counting newspapers. For example, '两份报纸' (two newspapers) is correct, while '两个报纸' is incorrect.
Don't confuse with news
Remember that '报纸' is the physical paper, not the news itself. Use '新闻' (xīnwén) when you want to talk about the events reported.
The morning routine
In China, reading the newspaper with a cup of tea is a classic image of a retiree's morning. It represents a slow, traditional lifestyle.
Formal media reference
When citing a source, use the full name of the newspaper followed by '报道'. For example, '据《人民日报》报道' (According to People's Daily).
Word Origin
The word '报' comes from '报答' (repay/report), implying the duty to inform the public. '纸' simply means paper. Historically, newspapers evolved from court gazettes in ancient China. The term became standard during the late Qing dynasty as modern journalism emerged.
Cultural Context
Newspapers in China have historically served as the primary voice of government policy. While their influence has shifted to digital platforms, they remain symbols of institutional authority. For older generations, the daily ritual of reading the paper is a sign of being well-informed. In the digital age, '报纸' is often used to emphasize the authenticity of information compared to online rumors.
Memory Tip
Imagine a '报' (report) printed on '纸' (paper). Think of a person sitting in a park unfolding a large sheet of paper—that is a '报纸'. It's the classic way to get the news before phones existed.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions“报纸”是载体，指的是那种印有文字的纸张或媒体机构；“新闻”是内容，指的是发生的事件或报道本身。你可以说“这张报纸上有很多新闻”，但不能反过来说。
随着互联网和移动设备的普及，信息获取变得更加碎片化和即时化。相比于报纸，手机APP和社交媒体提供了更快的更新速度和互动性。
通常使用“份”。例如：请给我一份报纸。如果你是指报纸的种类，可以使用“种”或“家”。
这两个词基本可以互换，但在语感上，“看报纸”更侧重于浏览信息，“读报纸”则隐含了更深入阅读或学习的意思。
在正式场合，通常会直接称呼报纸的名称，如《参考消息》或《南方周末》。如果泛指，可以说“报刊”或“新闻媒体”。
是的，报纸很大一部分收入来源是广告。在报纸上看到广告是非常普遍的现象。
你可以说“我订阅了这份报纸”。“订阅”是专门用于报刊杂志的动词，表示长期预定。
中文里名词没有严格的复数形式。如果要表示多张，可以说“几份报纸”或“很多报纸”。
有的，通常称之为“版面”。例如：这篇报道在报纸的头版。
可以说“这家报纸停刊了”。“停刊”是专门指报纸或杂志停止发行的词汇。
Test Yourself
我今天在报刊亭买了一（ ）报纸。
报纸的专用量词是“份”，用于表示一份完整的刊物。
他每天早上都有______报纸的习惯。
阅读报纸的常用动词是“看”或“读”。
报纸 / 爸爸 / 每天 / 看
中文句式通常为“主语+时间状语+谓语+宾语”。
我买了两个报纸。
报纸的量词只能用“份”，不能用“个”。
Score: /4
Summary
A newspaper is a reliable, printed source of information that represents public discourse, serving as a pillar of traditional journalism and informed citizenship.
- A printed publication containing news, features, and advertisements, usually issued daily or weekly.
- Used to refer to the physical object or the news organization itself.
- Neutral register, suitable for both formal writing and casual daily conversation.
- Common mistake is confusing it with 'news' (新闻), which refers only to the content.
- Culturally, reading newspapers is often associated with intellectualism and older generations in China.
Use the correct measure word
Always use '份' (fèn) when counting newspapers. For example, '两份报纸' (two newspapers) is correct, while '两个报纸' is incorrect.
Don't confuse with news
Remember that '报纸' is the physical paper, not the news itself. Use '新闻' (xīnwén) when you want to talk about the events reported.
The morning routine
In China, reading the newspaper with a cup of tea is a classic image of a retiree's morning. It represents a slow, traditional lifestyle.
Formal media reference
When citing a source, use the full name of the newspaper followed by '报道'. For example, '据《人民日报》报道' (According to People's Daily).
Examples
6 of 8我每天早上都要看报纸。
I read the newspaper every morning.
这篇文章被多家报纸转载了。
This article was reprinted by many newspapers.
帮我拿一下那份报纸。
Help me grab that newspaper.
报纸是研究历史的重要史料。
Newspapers are important historical materials for research.
我们在报纸上刊登了招聘广告。
We placed a job advertisement in the newspaper.
报纸上的铅字记录着时代的变迁。
The lead type on the newspaper records the changes of the era.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More general words
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
大约
B1Used to show that a number or amount is not exact; approximately.
上边
A2above, on top
上面
A1on, above, over
