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A2 noun #9,000 most common 9 min read

办公桌

bàngōngzhuō Top 9,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 办公桌 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 办公桌 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '办公桌' (bàngōngzhuō) means 'office desk.' You should be able to identify it as a piece of furniture found in an office. At this stage, focus on the basic structure: '这是我的办公桌' (This is my office desk). You might also learn that desks are usually '大' (big) or '小' (small). You should recognize the characters '办' (work), '公' (public), and '桌' (table). The goal is simple identification and possession. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, just that it is a thing you sit at to work. Think of it as a specific type of '桌子' (table). If you can say '办公桌上有电脑' (There is a computer on the desk), you are doing great for A1. This level is about building the foundation of your office vocabulary.

At the A2 level, you should start using the correct measure word '张' (zhāng) with '办公桌.' You will move beyond simple identification to describing actions and locations. For example, you should be able to say '张经理的办公桌在那儿' (Manager Zhang's office desk is over there). You will also start using prepositions like '上' (on) and '下' (under) more confidently. At this level, you might describe your daily routine, including '我在办公桌前工作' (I work at my office desk). You should also be able to distinguish '办公桌' from '书桌' (study desk). This is the level where you start to function in a basic office environment, so knowing how to ask for things on or around a desk is crucial. You might also learn words for things on the desk, like '电话' (phone) or '文件夹' (folder).

By B1, you are expected to use '办公桌' in more complex sentence structures and varied contexts. You might talk about office organization using verbs like '整理' (to organize) or '收拾' (to tidy up). For instance, '我得先整理一下办公桌，然后再开会' (I have to tidy up my desk first, then attend the meeting). You will also use '办公桌' in the context of office supplies and equipment. You might discuss the ergonomics of a desk or compare different types of desks when shopping. At this level, you should be able to handle a conversation about moving offices or redecorating a workspace. You will also start to encounter the word in professional emails or simple business documents. Your ability to describe the state of a desk—whether it is '乱' (messy) or '整齐' (neat)—becomes more nuanced.

At the B2 level, '办公桌' is used in discussions about workplace culture, productivity, and professional habits. You might discuss the 'clean desk policy' (净面政策) or how the layout of '办公桌' in an open-plan office affects communication. You will use more advanced vocabulary to describe the desk, such as '人体工学办公桌' (ergonomic office desk) or '模块化办公桌' (modular office desk). You should be able to express opinions about workspace design, saying things like '一个整洁的办公桌能提高工作效率' (A tidy office desk can improve work efficiency). At this level, you are comfortable using the word in professional presentations or debates about modern work-life balance. You might also encounter the word in literature or more complex news articles about the 'future of the office.'

At the C1 level, '办公桌' becomes a tool for discussing abstract concepts like corporate identity and psychological well-being. You might analyze how the size and placement of an executive's '办公桌' (perhaps referred to as '大班台') signifies power dynamics within a company. You will understand and use idioms or professional jargon related to the workplace. Your language will be fluid, allowing you to discuss the evolution of the '办公桌' from a physical piece of furniture to a 'virtual desktop' in the age of cloud computing. You can write detailed reports on office space optimization or give a speech about the psychological impact of personalized '办公桌' spaces in large corporations. The word is no longer just a noun; it's a component of a larger discourse on organizational behavior.

At the C2 level, your mastery of '办公桌' is near-native. You can use the word in any context, from highly technical furniture design specifications to poetic descriptions of a lonely office late at night. You understand the subtle cultural connotations of '办公桌' in different Chinese-speaking regions and how it reflects societal shifts in work ethics. You can effortlessly switch between formal terms like '办公位' and more descriptive ones like '工位.' You might critique the socio-economic implications of the 'hot-desking' trend in modern Chinese tech hubs, using '办公桌' as a focal point for your analysis. Your usage is characterized by perfect grammatical accuracy, a vast range of collocations, and an intuitive grasp of when to use synonyms for stylistic variety.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

办公桌 in 30 Seconds

办公桌 (bàngōngzhuō) is the standard Chinese noun for an office desk, used in professional and administrative contexts to describe where one works.
It requires the measure word '张' (zhāng) and is distinct from '书桌' (shūzhuō), which is typically used for a student's study desk.
Commonly paired with prepositions like '上' (on) and verbs like '整理' (organize), it is a fundamental word for workplace communication.
Culturally, a clean 办公桌 is often associated with high productivity and a professional attitude in modern Chinese corporate environments.

The Chinese term 办公桌 (bàngōngzhuō) is a compound noun that serves as the cornerstone of professional life in the Sinophone world. To understand its usage, one must first dismantle its constituent characters. The first two characters, 办公 (bàngōng), literally translate to 'handling public affairs' or 'doing office work.' The final character, 桌 (zhuō), refers to a table or desk. When merged, they describe the specific piece of furniture designated for professional labor, administrative tasks, and digital productivity. In modern Mandarin, it is the standard term used to describe any desk situated within a corporate, governmental, or home-office environment.

Etymological Breakdown: The character '办' represents effort and management, while '公' signifies the public or official sphere. Together with '桌' (table), the word encapsulates the transition of Chinese society from traditional scholars' tables to modern, industrial-era workstations.

People use this word whenever they are discussing their workspace, organizing their office, or purchasing furniture. It is not merely a physical object; in many Chinese professional contexts, the state of one's 办公桌 is seen as a reflection of their work ethic and organizational skills. A cluttered desk might suggest a busy or chaotic mind, while a clean desk suggests efficiency. In the era of the '996' work culture (9 am to 9 pm, 6 days a week), the 办公桌 has become a primary living space for many young professionals in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.

我的办公桌上放着很多文件。(Wǒ de bàngōngzhuō shàng fàngzhe hěnduō wénjiàn.) — There are many documents on my office desk.

Beyond the physical desk, the term is frequently heard in HR departments when assigning new employees their seats. Phrases like '你的办公桌在那边' (Your desk is over there) are among the first things a new hire will hear. It is also a key term in the furniture industry, where retailers like IKEA or local brands like Sunon (圣奥) market various styles of desks, from ergonomic standing desks to massive mahogany executive tables. The word remains neutral in tone but carries the weight of one's professional identity.

In summary, 办公桌 is the essential term for anyone navigating the Chinese-speaking professional world. Whether you are asking for a larger space, complaining about a broken drawer, or decorating your new cubicle, this is the word that anchors your physical presence in the office. It bridges the gap between the traditional concept of a 'table' and the modern necessity of a 'workstation,' making it a vital addition to any A2-level learner's vocabulary.

Using 办公桌 correctly involves understanding Chinese measure words and spatial prepositions. The most important thing to remember is the measure word 张 (zhāng). Just as you use 'piece' for paper or 'slice' for bread, you must use '张' for flat-surfaced objects like desks. Saying '一个办公桌' is technically understandable but sounds unrefined to native speakers; '一张办公桌' is the grammatically correct form.

The Measure Word Rule: Always use '张' (zhāng) when counting desks. Example: '公司买了十张新的办公桌' (The company bought ten new office desks).

Another crucial aspect of using this word is describing the location of items. In Chinese, we use the structure: [Noun] + [办公桌] + [Position]. For example, to say 'on the desk,' you say 办公桌上 (bàngōngzhuō shàng). To say 'under the desk,' you say 办公桌下 (bàngōngzhuō xià). This locational suffix is essential for everyday office interactions, such as asking where a stapler or a laptop is located.

请把这份报告放在我的办公桌上。(Qǐng bǎ zhè fèn bàogào fàng zài wǒ de bàngōngzhuō shàng.) — Please put this report on my office desk.

Verbs commonly paired with 办公桌 include 整理 (zhěnglǐ - to organize), 清理 (qīnglǐ - to clean/clear), and 搬 (bān - to move). If you are moving to a new department, you might say, '我需要搬我的办公桌' (I need to move my desk). If your boss asks you to tidy up, they might say, '你应该整理一下你的办公桌' (You should tidy up your desk a bit). These combinations allow you to describe a wide range of office-related actions.

Finally, consider the context of ownership. In English, we often say 'at my desk.' In Chinese, this is expressed as 在办公桌前 (zài bàngōngzhuō qián), literally 'in front of the office desk.' Understanding these subtle prepositional differences will make your Chinese sound much more natural and idiomatic. Whether you are describing a luxurious executive desk or a simple shared workstation, these patterns remain consistent.

The word 办公桌 is ubiquitous in any environment where business or administration takes place. The most common setting is, naturally, the corporate office. In the skyscrapers of Shanghai's Lujiazui district or the tech parks of Beijing's Zhongguancun, you will hear this word daily. It is used by administrative assistants coordinating furniture deliveries, by IT staff setting up computers, and by coworkers discussing their personal space.

Common Scenarios: 1. Office Relocation: '每张办公桌都要贴上标签' (Every desk must have a label). 2. Furniture Shopping: '这款办公桌是人体工学的' (This desk is ergonomic).

You will also encounter 办公桌 in educational settings. While students usually have a 书桌 (shūzhuō - study desk), teachers and professors have 办公桌 in their private offices or faculty rooms. If you are a student looking for a teacher, you might be told, '他在他的办公桌那里' (He is at his desk). This distinction highlights the professional nature of the word compared to more academic or domestic alternatives.

老板的办公桌非常宽敞。(Lǎobǎn de bàngōngzhuō fēicháng kuānchǎng.) — The boss's office desk is very spacious.

In the realm of media and entertainment, particularly in 'office dramas' (职场剧), the 办公桌 often serves as a backdrop for intense scenes. Characters might slam documents onto a desk during a confrontation or hide a secret letter in a desk drawer. This makes the word a frequent guest in TV dialogue and novels. Furthermore, in the context of remote work (远程办公), people now discuss their 家里办公桌 (home office desk), showing how the word has adapted to the post-pandemic lifestyle.

Whether you are listening to a podcast about productivity, reading a job description that mentions 'desk space provided,' or simply walking through a modern coworking hub, 办公桌 is the standard, professional term. It lacks the informality of '桌子' (table) and the specific academic focus of '书桌,' making it the perfect middle-ground term for the modern adult learner.

For English speakers learning Chinese, several common pitfalls occur when using 办公桌. The most frequent error is using the wrong measure word. In English, we simply say 'a desk' or 'one desk.' Beginners often translate this literally as '一个办公桌.' However, as mentioned previously, '张' (zhāng) is the mandatory measure word for flat, expansive objects. Failing to use '张' is a hallmark of a beginner's mistake.

Mistake 1: Measure Word Confusion: Incorrect: 一个办公桌 (Yī gè bàngōngzhuō). Correct: 一张办公桌 (Yī zhāng bàngōngzhuō).

Another common mistake is confusing 办公桌 with 书桌 (shūzhuō). While both are desks, they are not interchangeable. A 书桌 is specifically for studying, reading, or writing, often found in a bedroom or a library. A 办公桌 is for professional work. If you are at your company, you are sitting at a 办公桌. If you are a student doing homework at home, you are likely at a 书桌. Using the wrong one can sound slightly odd, like calling a 'cubicle' a 'study carrel.'

不要把咖啡洒在办公桌上。(Bùyào bǎ kāfēi sǎ zài bàngōngzhuō shàng.) — Don't spill coffee on the office desk.

Prepositional errors are also frequent. English speakers often try to translate 'at the desk' as '在办公桌' without adding a directional particle. In Chinese, you must specify where relative to the desk the action is happening. '在办公桌前' (in front of the desk) is the standard way to say someone is 'at' their desk working. Just saying '他在办公桌' sounds incomplete, as if he is physically part of the desk or inside it.

Lastly, some learners confuse 办公桌 with 办公楼 (bàngōnglóu - office building) or 办公室 (bàngōngshì - office room). While they share the same prefix, the final character completely changes the meaning. A 'desk' is a piece of furniture, a 'room' is a space, and a 'building' is a structure. Paying close attention to the final character—桌, 室, or 楼—is crucial for clear communication in a business setting.

While 办公桌 is the most common term for an office desk, there are several related words that offer more specificity depending on the context. Understanding these nuances will help you describe your environment more accurately and understand others better.

Comparison Table

书桌 (shūzhuō): Study desk. Used for students or personal writing at home.
写字台 (xiězìtái): Writing desk. A slightly more old-fashioned or formal term for a desk used for writing.
工作台 (gōngzuòtái): Workstation or workbench. Often used in labs, factories, or for creative tech jobs.
电脑桌 (diànnǎozhuō): Computer desk. Specifically designed with keyboard trays and cable management.

If you are in a high-level corporate environment, you might hear the term 大班台 (dàbāntái). This refers specifically to the large, impressive executive desks used by CEOs and managers. It carries a connotation of power and status. In contrast, a 工位 (gōngwèi) refers to a 'workstation' or 'cubicle,' which includes the desk, the chair, and the immediate surrounding area. When a company says they have '100 workstations,' they use the word '工位,' not '办公桌.'

他的办公桌其实是一个简单的电脑桌。(His office desk is actually a simple computer desk.)

For those into modern office trends, the term 升降桌 (shēngjiàngzhuō) is becoming increasingly popular. This refers to a standing desk or an adjustable-height desk. In tech hubs, you will often hear employees asking, '公司可以提供升降办公桌吗？' (Can the company provide standing office desks?). This adds a layer of functional description to the basic term.

In summary, while 办公桌 is your 'safe' and standard word, knowing '书桌' for home, '工位' for the overall workstation, and '升降桌' for modern health-conscious desks will make your vocabulary much more robust. Each word carries a specific context that tells the listener exactly what kind of environment or furniture you are dealing with.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Before the Ming Dynasty, most Chinese people sat on the floor, and their 'desks' were very low. The '办公桌' as we know it today only became common as chair-sitting culture became universal.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bâŋ.kʊ́ŋ.ʈʂwɔ́/

US /bâŋ.ɡʊŋ.ʈʂwo/

Primary stress is on the first syllable 'bàn', with 'gōng' and 'zhuō' maintaining high, steady pitch.

Rhymes With

桌 (zhuō) rhymes with 波 (bō) 桌 (zhuō) rhymes with 多 (duō) 桌 (zhuō) rhymes with 说 (shuō) 桌 (zhuō) rhymes with 托 (tuō) 桌 (zhuō) rhymes with 锅 (guō) 桌 (zhuō) rhymes with 梭 (suō) 桌 (zhuō) rhymes with 罗 (luó) 桌 (zhuō) rhymes with 摸 (mō)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'zhuō' as 'zuō' (forgetting the 'h'/retroflex).
Using the wrong tone for 'bàn' (e.g., making it 1st tone).
Merging 'gōng' and 'zhuō' into a single slurred sound.
Mispronouncing the 'ng' in 'bàn' and 'gōng' as a simple 'n'.
Failing to aspirate the 'zh' correctly.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Characters are common but '桌' has many strokes.

Writing 3/5

Writing '桌' and '办' requires attention to stroke order.

Speaking 2/5

Tones are distinct and usually easy to master.

Listening 2/5

Very common word, easy to recognize in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

桌子办公室老师工作电脑

Learn Next

椅子抽屉文件夹打印机会议室

Advanced

人体工学模块化风水职业身份生产力

Grammar to Know

Measure Words (量词)

一张办公桌 (One desk)

Directional Particles (方位词)

办公桌上 (On the desk)

The 'Ba' Construction (把字句)

把电脑放在办公桌上。

Possessive 'De' (的)

老师的办公桌 (Teacher's desk)

Existence with 'You' (有)

办公桌上有一本书。

Examples by Level

这是我的办公桌。

This is my office desk.

Simple Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure.

办公桌很小。

The office desk is very small.

Adjective '小' used with the intensifier '很'.

他的办公桌在那儿。

His office desk is over there.

Use of '在那儿' to indicate location.

办公桌上有电脑。

There is a computer on the office desk.

Existence pattern: [Location] + 有 + [Object].

我喜欢这张办公桌。

I like this office desk.

Use of the measure word '张' (zhāng).

你有办公桌吗？

Do you have an office desk?

Question formed with the particle '吗'.

这是一张新办公桌。

This is a new office desk.

Adjective '新' modifying the noun.

办公桌是白色的。

The office desk is white.

Describing color using '是...的' pattern.

请把书放在办公桌上。

Please put the book on the office desk.

Use of the '把' (bǎ) construction for disposal.

我的办公桌比你的大。

My office desk is bigger than yours.

Comparative structure using '比' (bǐ).

办公桌下面有一个球。

There is a ball under the office desk.

Using '下面' (xiàmiàn) for 'underneath'.

我要去买一张办公桌。

I am going to buy an office desk.

Future intent with '要'.

这张办公桌太贵了。

This office desk is too expensive.

Exclamatory pattern '太...了'.

他在办公桌前写信。

He is writing a letter at the office desk.

Prepositional phrase '在...前' (at/in front of).

办公室里有五张办公桌。

There are five office desks in the office.

Counting with numbers and measure words.

你的办公桌真干净！

Your office desk is so clean!

Use of '真' (zhēn) for emphasis.

我每天都要整理我的办公桌。

I have to organize my office desk every day.

Using '都要' to indicate habitual necessity.

这张办公桌的质量非常好。

The quality of this office desk is very good.

Using '的' to show possession/attribute.

你可以帮我搬一下办公桌吗？

Can you help me move the office desk for a moment?

Use of '一下' (yīxià) to soften the request.

我想要一张可以升降的办公桌。

I want an office desk that can be raised and lowered.

Relative clause using '的'.

办公桌上放着我们的全家福。

A family photo is placed on the office desk.

Static presence using 'V + 着'.

虽然办公桌很旧，但很结实。

Although the office desk is old, it is very sturdy.

Conjunction '虽然...但...' (although... but...).

他在办公桌旁坐了三个小时。

He sat by the office desk for three hours.

Duration of action after the verb.

这张办公桌占了太大的空间。

This office desk takes up too much space.

Using '占' (zhàn) for 'to occupy'.

公司决定为每位员工更换办公桌。

The company decided to replace the office desks for every employee.

Use of '为' (wèi) to mean 'for'.

为了提高效率，我们需要更宽敞的办公桌。

To improve efficiency, we need more spacious office desks.

Purpose clause with '为了'.

他的办公桌总是乱七八糟的。

His office desk is always a complete mess.

Idiomatic expression '乱七八糟'.

这种办公桌的设计符合人体工学。

The design of this office desk conforms to ergonomics.

Subject-Verb-Object with technical terms.

他把所有的文件都锁在了办公桌的抽屉里。

He locked all the documents in the drawer of the office desk.

Resultative complement '在...里'.

一张整洁的办公桌反映了一个人的职业素养。

A neat office desk reflects a person's professionalism.

Abstract subject with a metaphorical verb.

由于空间有限，我们只能使用小型办公桌。

Due to limited space, we can only use small office desks.

Causal conjunction '由于' (due to).

即使在家里，他也有一张专门的办公桌。

Even at home, he has a dedicated office desk.

Concessive pattern '即使...也...'.

办公桌的摆放位置在风水学中非常重要。

The placement of the office desk is very important in Feng Shui.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

这款办公桌集成了无线充电和理线系统。

This office desk integrates wireless charging and cable management systems.

Formal verb '集成' (integrate).

在开放式办公室里，办公桌之间的界限变得模糊。

In open-plan offices, the boundaries between office desks become blurred.

Abstract prepositional phrase.

他习惯在办公桌上堆满各类专业书籍。

He is accustomed to piling various professional books on his office desk.

Verb-complement structure '堆满'.

这张办公桌见证了他从职员到CEO的奋斗史。

This office desk witnessed his history of struggle from clerk to CEO.

Personification of '办公桌' as a witness.

考虑到员工的健康，公司引进了升降式办公桌。

Considering employee health, the company introduced height-adjustable office desks.

Participle-like phrase '考虑到'.

办公桌的材质从实木到合成材料各具特色。

The materials of office desks range from solid wood to synthetic materials, each with its own characteristics.

Structure '从...到...' and '各具特色'.

他坐在办公桌前，陷入了沉思。

Sitting at his office desk, he fell into deep thought.

Literary verb '陷入' (to fall into).

办公桌不仅仅是家具，更是职业身份的延伸。

An office desk is not just furniture; it is an extension of professional identity.

Correlative conjunction '不仅仅是...更是...'.

随着数字化办公的普及，物理办公桌的重要性有所下降。

With the popularization of digital offices, the importance of physical office desks has declined to some extent.

Complex causal structure with '随着'.

这款顶级办公桌采用了珍稀红木，极具收藏价值。

This top-tier office desk uses rare mahogany and has great collection value.

Formal register with '极具'.

办公桌的杂乱程度往往与创造力呈现正相关关系。

The degree of clutter on an office desk often correlates positively with creativity.

Scientific/Academic phrasing '呈现正相关关系'.

在共享办公空间中，‘热桌’制度挑战了传统的办公桌观念。

In co-working spaces, the 'hot-desking' system challenges the traditional concept of the office desk.

Using loanwords/concepts like '热桌'.

他轻抚着那张斑驳的办公桌，回想起创业初期的艰辛。

He gently stroked that mottled office desk, recalling the hardships of the early entrepreneurial period.

Evocative, descriptive language.

办公桌的演变史折射出人类劳动方式的巨大变革。

The history of the evolution of the office desk reflects the huge transformation of human labor methods.

Metaphorical use of '折射' (reflect).

尽管办公桌的形态在变，但其作为生产力核心的地位依然稳固。

Although the form of the office desk is changing, its status as the core of productivity remains stable.

Formal concessive structure.

Common Collocations

一张办公桌

整理办公桌

办公桌上

搬办公桌

办公桌抽屉

实木办公桌

升降办公桌

干净的办公桌

办公桌摆件

靠近办公桌

Common Phrases

在办公桌前

— To be at the desk, usually working.

他整天都坐在办公桌前。

离开办公桌

— To step away from one's workspace.

如果你要离开办公桌，请锁好电脑。

办公桌空间

— The area available on or around the desk.

这张办公桌空间很大。

收拾办公桌

— To tidy up the desk.

下班前请收拾好办公桌。

共享办公桌

— Hot-desking or shared desk space.

我们公司实行共享办公桌制度。

办公桌椅

— Office desk and chair (as a set).

这套办公桌椅很舒服。

办公桌布局

— The layout or arrangement of the desk.

合理的办公桌布局能省空间。

我的办公桌

— My personal workspace.

不要动我的办公桌。

新办公桌

— A newly acquired desk.

公司给我们发了新办公桌。

办公桌文化

— The habits and norms surrounding desk use.

不同的公司有不同的办公桌文化。

Often Confused With

办公桌 vs 书桌

Shūzhuō is for students/study; Bàngōngzhuō is for professional work.

办公桌 vs 办公室

Bàngōngshì is the room; Bàngōngzhuō is the furniture.

办公桌 vs 工作台

Gōngzuòtái is usually for manual or technical lab work.

Idioms & Expressions

"案头工作"

— Literally 'desk work'; refers to paperwork or administrative tasks.

他有很多案头工作要处理。

Formal

"伏案工作"

— To lean over a desk working hard; implies diligence.

他经常伏案工作到深夜。

Literary

"乱七八糟"

— A total mess; often used to describe a messy desk.

你的办公桌乱七八糟的。

Informal

"井井有条"

— In perfect order; used to describe a very neat desk.

他的办公桌收拾得井井有条。

Formal

"一尘不染"

— Spotless; used for an extremely clean desk.

她的办公桌总是一尘不染。

Formal

"拍案而起"

— To slap the table and stand up in anger.

他气得拍案而起。

Literary

"文房四宝"

— The four treasures of the study (brush, ink, paper, inkstone).

古人的办公桌上有文房四宝。

Cultural

"胸有成竹"

— To have a well-thought-out plan; often used when sitting at a desk planning.

他坐在办公桌前，胸有成竹地写着计划。

Idiomatic

"废寝忘食"

— To forget to eat and sleep due to hard work at the desk.

他为了完成报告，在办公桌前废寝忘食。

Commendatory

"名列前茅"

— To be at the top of the list; often used for those who work hard at their desks.

他在办公桌前努力，成绩名列前茅。

General

Easily Confused

办公桌 vs 书桌

Both are types of desks.

书桌 is primarily for reading and homework at home, while 办公桌 is for professional administrative work in an office.

学生在书桌上写作业，经理在办公桌上写报告。

办公桌 vs 桌子

General vs specific.

桌子 is any table (dining, coffee, etc.), while 办公桌 is specifically for office work.

家里有很多桌子，但只有一张办公桌。

办公桌 vs 办公椅

Related office furniture.

办公椅 is the chair, 办公桌 is the table.

我需要买一套办公桌椅。

办公桌 vs 工位

Refers to the same area.

工位 is the abstract 'spot' or 'workstation' in an office, while 办公桌 is the physical piece of wood/metal.

我的工位很大，因为办公桌很宽。

办公桌 vs 写字台

Synonymous meaning.

写字台 is slightly more traditional and focuses on the act of writing.

爷爷在那张老写字台上写书法。

Sentence Patterns

这是 [Possessive] 办公桌。

这是我的办公桌。

办公桌上有 [Object]。

办公桌上有电脑。

[Object] 在办公桌 [Direction]。

书在办公桌下。

请 [Action] 一下办公桌。

请整理一下办公桌。

虽然办公桌 [Adj], 但是 [Adj]。

虽然办公桌小，但是很漂亮。

[Subject] 坐在办公桌前 [Action]。

他坐在办公桌前打电话。

办公桌的 [Noun] 反映了 [Noun]。

办公桌的整洁反映了工作态度。

随着 [Trend], 办公桌 [Change]。

随着科技发展，办公桌变得更智能。

Word Family

Nouns

办公室 (Office)

办公楼 (Office building)

办公用品 (Office supplies)

办公家具 (Office furniture)

Verbs

办公 (To work/handle official business)

整理 (To organize)

收拾 (To tidy)

Adjectives

办公的 (Official/Related to work)

桌子 (Table)

椅子 (Chair)

电脑 (Computer)

文件 (Document)

抽屉 (Drawer)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily life and professional settings.

Common Mistakes

一个办公桌 → 一张办公桌
The measure word for flat surfaces like desks is '张', not '个'.
他在办公桌。 → 他在办公桌前。
In Chinese, you must specify the spatial relationship (in front of, on, under). Just 'at' requires a directional particle.
Confusing 办公桌 with 办公室. → N/A
办公桌 is the desk; 办公室 is the room. Don't mix up the final characters.
Using 书桌 for an executive desk. → 使用办公桌或大班台
书桌 is for students. Using it for a boss's desk sounds disrespectful or childish.
Mispronouncing zhuō as zuō. → zhuō
The 'zh' sound is retroflex (tongue curled back). 'z' is flat. This is a common pronunciation error.

Tips

Measure Word Mastery

Always pair '张' (zhāng) with '办公桌'. Using '个' (gè) is a common beginner mistake that makes your Chinese sound less natural. Practice saying '一张、两张、三张办公桌' until it becomes second nature.

Distinguish from Study Desks

Use '书桌' (shūzhuō) for kids or students at home. Use '办公桌' for adults in a professional capacity. This distinction shows you understand the nuances of Chinese social roles.

Feng Shui Awareness

In China, how you place your 办公桌 matters. Never put it directly facing a sharp corner or with your back to the door if you want to follow traditional office etiquette.

Tone Accuracy

Pay close attention to the 4th tone on 'bàn'. If you say it with a 1st tone, it sounds like 'bān' (to move), which could confuse people in an office move scenario.

Stroke Order for '桌'

The character '桌' (zhuō) has many strokes. Remember it starts with '木' (wood) on top, signifying the material desks were traditionally made of.

Learn the Prefix

The prefix '办公' (bàngōng) is used in many words. If you learn it once, you'll easily recognize 办公室 (office), 办公楼 (office building), and 办公用品 (office supplies).

Workstation vs Desk

In modern tech companies, people often use '工位' (gōngwèi) instead of '办公桌'. If you want to sound like a tech insider, try using '工位'.

Action Verbs

Learn the verb '整理' (zhěnglǐ) alongside '办公桌'. It's the most common action you'll perform with your desk—keeping it tidy.

Furniture Terms

If you are at IKEA in China, look for '办公家具' (office furniture). You will find all the 办公桌 options there.

Standing Desks

Learn '升降' (shēngjiàng - rise and fall). A '升降办公桌' is a standing desk, a very popular term in modern health-conscious workplaces.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'BAN' (bàn) as 'Banning' fun to do work, 'GONG' (gōng) as the sound of a 'Gong' starting the workday, and 'ZHUO' (zhuō) as 'Joe' sitting at his table.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant 'B' (for bàn) shaped like a desk, with a 'Public' (gōng) sign on it, and a 'Table' (zhuō) underneath.

Word Web

办 (Manage) 公 (Public) 桌 (Table) 室 (Room) 楼 (Building) 具 (Tools) 用 (Use) 件 (Item)

Challenge

Try to count all the '张办公桌' in your current room or office and say the number out loud in Chinese.

Word Origin

The term is a modern compound. '办' (bàn) comes from the traditional character '辦', meaning to manage or exert effort. '公' (gōng) means public or official. '桌' (zhuō) is a relatively later character in Chinese history, replacing '案' (àn) for tables after the Tang Dynasty when people began sitting on chairs instead of mats.

Original meaning: A table for official public business.

Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese).

Cultural Context

Avoid touching a colleague's 办公桌 without permission, as it is considered a very private space in Chinese office culture.

In the West, 'hot-desking' is common, but in many traditional Chinese offices, having a fixed, permanent 办公桌 is a sign of stability.

The movie 'Office Coworker' The TV show 'The Ideal City' Common settings in C-Dramas like 'Ode to Joy'

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a furniture store

这张办公桌多少钱？
有大一点的办公桌吗？
我想买实木的办公桌。
这办公桌送货吗？

First day at work

我的办公桌在哪儿？
这是你的办公桌。
我可以装饰办公桌吗？
办公桌上有电话吗？

Cleaning the office

请整理办公桌。
办公桌很脏。
谁的办公桌这么乱？
我要擦一下办公桌。

Office relocation

我们要搬办公桌。
别碰我的办公桌。
办公桌太重了。
把办公桌放在窗边。

Tech support

我的办公桌没网。
电脑在办公桌上。
办公桌下的电线很乱。
帮我装一下办公桌。

Conversation Starters

"你的办公桌上为什么放着那个模型？"

"你喜欢在什么样的办公桌前工作？"

"你觉得办公桌乱一点好还是干净一点好？"

"我们在哪里可以买到便宜的办公桌？"

"你的办公桌靠窗户吗？"

Journal Prompts

描述一下你理想中的办公桌是什么样子的。

今天我整理了我的办公桌，感觉心情好多了。

如果你的办公桌会说话，它会告诉你什么？

比较一下你在家里和在办公室的办公桌。

为什么有些人喜欢在办公桌上放很多绿植？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

The measure word is '张' (zhāng). This is used for all objects with a flat surface, like tables, paper, and beds. Example: 一张办公桌.

Yes, if you use it for professional work or running a home business. If it's just for general studying or reading, '书桌' (shūzhuō) is more common.

It is a neutral, standard term. It is appropriate for both casual conversation and formal business settings.

You usually say '在我的办公桌前' (zài wǒ de bàngōngzhuō qián), which literally means 'in front of my office desk.'

办公桌 refers to the physical table itself. 工位 (gōngwèi) refers to the assigned workstation, which includes the desk, chair, and space.

It's grammatically incorrect but understandable. Native speakers will always prefer '一张办公桌'.

Yes, common types include 升降办公桌 (standing desk), L型办公桌 (L-shaped desk), and 大班台 (executive desk).

You can say '乱七八糟的办公桌' (luàn qī bā zāo de bàngōngzhuō) or simply '很乱的办公桌'.

Common items include 电脑 (computer), 电话 (phone), 文件夹 (folder), and 笔筒 (pen holder).

No, it is strictly a noun. However, '办公' (to do office work) is a verb.