At the A1 level, you just need to know that '百科全书' (bǎikē quánshū) means 'Encyclopedia.' It is a very big book with lots of facts. You can think of it as a 'big book of everything.' You might say 'I have a book' (我有一本书) or 'This is a big book' (这是一本大书). While the word is long (four characters), it is made of simple parts: '百' (100), '科' (subject), '全' (all), and '书' (book). So, it's a '100-subject-all-book.' You will mostly see this word in a library or a school. Don't worry about using it in complex sentences yet. Just remember it is a noun for a special kind of book that tells you about the world, like animals, stars, and history. If you see a set of 20 books on a shelf, that is likely a '百科全书'.
For A2 learners, you should start using '百科全书' in simple sentences with measure words. Remember to use '本' (běn) for one book and '套' (tào) for a set. You can say 'I like reading the encyclopedia' (我喜欢看百科全书) or 'There is an encyclopedia in the library' (图书馆里有一本百科全书). At this level, you might also use it to talk about looking for information. 'I look for information in the encyclopedia' (我在百科全书里找资料). It is a useful word when talking about your hobbies or school. You should also recognize that '百科' (bǎikē) is a shorter way to say it, especially when talking about websites like 'Baidu Baike.' It's a great word to show you are interested in learning many different things.
At the B1 level, you should understand that '百科全书' (bǎikē quánshū) is more than just a book; it is a comprehensive reference tool. You should be able to use it to describe research processes. For example, 'Consulting an encyclopedia is a good way to start a report' (查阅百科全书是开始写报告的好方法). You should also be familiar with the metaphorical use: calling a very smart person a 'living encyclopedia' (活百科全书). This shows a higher level of fluency. You should also be able to distinguish between an encyclopedia and a dictionary (词典). An encyclopedia gives you facts about a topic, whereas a dictionary gives you the definition of a word. You might also start encountering specialized encyclopedias, like a 'Nature Encyclopedia' (自然百科全书).
B2 learners should be comfortable using '百科全书' in academic or professional discussions. You might talk about the 'compilation' (编纂) or 'revision' (修订) of an encyclopedia. You should understand the historical importance of works like the 'Yongle Dadian' in Chinese history. You can use the word in more complex structures, such as 'Encyclopedic knowledge is essential for a well-rounded education' (百科全书式的知识对全面教育至关重要). At this level, you should also be able to discuss the transition from paper encyclopedias to digital ones and the impact of 'user-generated' encyclopedias like Wikipedia. Your vocabulary should include related terms like 'authoritative' (权威的) and 'comprehensive' (全面的) to describe these works.
At the C1 level, '百科全书' (bǎikē quánshū) is a word you use to discuss the categorization and systematization of human knowledge. You might analyze the bias in different encyclopedias or the philosophical implications of trying to contain 'all' knowledge in a single work. You should be able to use the word in high-level literary or academic contexts, such as 'The work serves as an encyclopedia of 19th-century social customs' (这部作品堪称19世纪社会风俗的百科全书). You should also be familiar with classical Chinese equivalents like 'Leishu' (类书) and how they differ from the modern 'Baike Quanshu' model. Your usage should be precise, using formal verbs like '涉猎' (to browse/dabble in) or '广博' (extensive/broad) when describing encyclopedic content.
For C2 speakers, '百科全书' is a concept as much as a word. You can discuss the 'encyclopedic tradition' in both Western and Chinese thought, comparing the Enlightenment's 'Encyclopédie' with the Qing Dynasty's 'Siku Quanshu.' You should be able to use the term metaphorically in complex ways, such as discussing the 'encyclopedic nature' of a complex legal code or a sprawling cinematic universe. You should also be aware of the nuances in how different Chinese-speaking regions might refer to specific encyclopedic projects. Your mastery should allow you to critique the structure of knowledge within an encyclopedia, discussing 'entries' (词条), 'cross-references' (交叉引用), and 'taxonomy' (分类学) with ease. The word becomes a tool for discussing the very structure of human understanding.

百科全书 em 30 segundos

  • A comprehensive reference book covering a wide range of subjects and facts.
  • Composed of characters meaning 'hundred subjects complete book' (百 bǎi, 科 kē, 全 quán, 书 shū).
  • Used to describe physical sets of books, online databases like Wikipedia, or knowledgeable people.
  • Essential B1 vocabulary for academic contexts, libraries, and describing extensive knowledge.

The term 百科全书 (bǎikē quánshū) is a compound noun in Chinese that translates directly to 'Encyclopedia.' To understand its depth, one must look at the individual characters: (bǎi) meaning hundred or many, (kē) referring to branches of learning or subjects, (quán) meaning complete or whole, and (shū) meaning book. Together, they describe a 'complete book of a hundred subjects.' This word is used to describe a comprehensive reference work containing articles on a wide range of subjects or on numerous aspects of a particular field, usually arranged alphabetically.

Literal Meaning
The Book of a Hundred Complete Subjects.
Modern Usage
Refers to both physical multi-volume sets and digital platforms like Wikipedia (维基百科).

In Chinese culture, the concept of an encyclopedia has a long history, dating back to the 'Leishu' (类书) or category books. However, 百科全书 is the modern term used in academic, educational, and daily contexts. You will use this word when talking about research, school projects, or when describing someone who seems to know everything about every topic.

我想在图书馆借一套百科全书来查资料。 (I want to borrow a set of encyclopedias from the library to look up information.)

Historically, owning a set of 百科全书 was a sign of status and intellectual curiosity in a household. In the digital age, while physical books are less common, the term remains vital. It is frequently applied to digital databases. For instance, 'Baidu Baike' (百度百科) is the Chinese equivalent of Wikipedia, and its name literally incorporates the 'Baike' portion of this word.

维基百科是目前世界上最大的线上百科全书。 (Wikipedia is currently the world's largest online encyclopedia.)

The word is versatile. It can refer to a general encyclopedia covering all human knowledge, or a specialized one, such as a 'Medical Encyclopedia' (医学百科全书). In academic writing, it is the standard term for citing such works. It carries a tone of authority and comprehensiveness that a simple dictionary (字典) does not possess.

这本百科全书涵盖了从天文到地理的所有知识。 (This encyclopedia covers all knowledge from astronomy to geography.)

Metaphorical Use
Used to describe a person with vast knowledge: 他简直是一部活百科全书。

爷爷博学多才,就像家里的一部百科全书。 (Grandpa is so knowledgeable, he's like an encyclopedia in our home.)

In summary, 百科全书 is an essential noun for any B1 learner. It bridges the gap between basic vocabulary and academic terminology. Whether you are discussing the history of the Yongle Dadian or simply asking a friend to look something up online, this word provides the necessary linguistic weight to describe comprehensive knowledge systems.

Using 百科全书 (bǎikē quánshū) correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and the specific measure words that accompany it. In Chinese, nouns often require a classifier. For a single volume of an encyclopedia, we use (běn). For a complete multi-volume set, we use (tào) or (bù).

Measure Word: 本 (běn)
Used for a single book. Example: 我买了一本百科全书。
Measure Word: 套 (tào)
Used for a full set of books. Example: 这是一套非常昂贵的百科全书。

When constructing sentences, 百科全书 usually functions as the direct object of verbs like 'read' (看/阅读), 'buy' (买), 'consult' (查阅), or 'edit' (编纂). It can also be the subject of a sentence when describing the book's contents or quality.

他在百科全书里找到了关于那个历史事件的详细解释。 (He found a detailed explanation of that historical event in the encyclopedia.)

Another important grammatical structure involves using 百科全书 as an attributive (adjective-like) noun to modify other nouns. For example, 'encyclopedic knowledge' is often translated as 百科全书式的知识 (bǎikē quánshū shì de zhīshì).

这位教授拥有百科全书式的博学。 (This professor possesses encyclopedic erudition.)

In formal settings, you might encounter the verb 查阅 (cháyuè - to consult/look up). This is more formal than simply saying (kàn). Using 查阅百科全书 demonstrates a higher level of Chinese proficiency and is appropriate for academic or professional contexts.

Furthermore, when discussing digital versions, we often omit the '全书' (quánshū) and simply say 百科 (bǎikē). For example, 'Internet Encyclopedia' is 网络百科. However, in formal speech and writing, the full four-character version is preferred for clarity and rhythm.

这套百科全书一共分为二十卷。 (This set of encyclopedias is divided into twenty volumes.)

Common Verb Pairings
编纂 (compile), 修订 (revise), 出版 (publish), 收藏 (collect).

Finally, remember that '百科全书' is a neutral term. It doesn't imply the content is good or bad, only that it is comprehensive. To say it's a 'good' encyclopedia, you would add adjectives like 权威的 (quánwēi de - authoritative) or 详尽的 (xiángjìn de - detailed).

You will encounter 百科全书 (bǎikē quánshū) in several distinct environments in China and Chinese-speaking communities. The most common location is within the education system. Teachers often refer to encyclopedias as reliable sources of information for students' essays and research projects.

老师建议我们去图书馆查阅百科全书。 (The teacher suggested we go to the library to consult the encyclopedia.)

In bookstores (书店) and libraries (图书馆), you will see entire sections dedicated to 百科全书. These range from children's illustrated versions (儿童百科全书) to specialized scientific or historical collections. In these settings, the word is used literally to categorize the books on the shelves.

Television documentaries and educational programs frequently use the term. A narrator might say, 'According to the encyclopedia...' (根据百科全书的记载...) when providing background facts about a animal species or a historical period. It lends a sense of factual weight to the broadcast.

In social circles, particularly among intellectuals or students, calling someone a 活百科全书 is a high compliment. It suggests the person is well-read and has an answer for everything. You might hear this during a trivia game or a deep conversation about various topics.

他简直就是个百科全书,什么冷知识都知道。 (He is simply an encyclopedia; he knows all sorts of obscure trivia.)

Furthermore, in the news or business world, the term is used to describe comprehensive reports or databases. A company might release an 'Industry Encyclopedia' (行业百科全书) to showcase their deep understanding of their market. This usage highlights the word's association with authority and completeness.

Digital Context
Baidu Baike (百度百科) and Hudong Baike (互动百科) are the two major Chinese online encyclopedias you will hear about constantly.

Finally, in historical discussions, you will hear about the Yongle Dadian (永乐大典) or the Siku Quanshu (四库全书). While 'Siku Quanshu' is a 'library' or 'collection,' it is often discussed in the same breath as encyclopedias because of its monumental scale and attempt to categorize all Chinese literature.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning 百科全书 (bǎikē quánshū) is confusing it with other reference books like 字典 (zìdiǎn - character dictionary) or 词典 (cídiǎn - word dictionary). While they all provide information, an encyclopedia provides *knowledge* about things, while a dictionary provides *definitions* of words.

错误 (Wrong): 我在百科全书里查这个字的读音。 (I am checking the pronunciation of this character in the encyclopedia.)

In the sentence above, you should use 字典 because you are looking for a character's pronunciation. You use 百科全书 to learn about history, science, or people, not basic linguistics.

Another common error is using the wrong measure word. Since 百科全书 is often a large set, learners sometimes forget to use (tào) and use the generic (gè). While is understandable, it sounds very uneducated. For a single book, is mandatory; for a set, or is expected.

Pronunciation is also a hurdle. The third character (quán) is often mispronounced as 'quǎn' or 'qúan' with incorrect tones. It is a second tone (rising). The final character (shū) is a first tone (high level). Mixing these up can make the word hard to recognize for native speakers.

Mistake: Over-abbreviation
Do not just say '书' (book) if you specifically mean an encyclopedia. The distinction is important in academic and factual discussions.

Lastly, learners sometimes struggle with the placement of adjectives. In Chinese, if you want to say 'a comprehensive encyclopedia,' you say 全面的百科全书. Ensure the adjective comes before the noun. Also, be careful with the word 百科. While it means 'encyclopedia' in many contexts, it is technically an abbreviation. In formal writing, always use the full 百科全书.

正确 (Correct): 这套百科全书非常全面。 (This set of encyclopedias is very comprehensive.)

While 百科全书 (bǎikē quánshū) is the standard term for a general encyclopedia, Chinese has several other words that cover similar territory depending on the context and the level of formality.

词典 (cídiǎn) vs 百科全书
A 词典 (dictionary) explains words and phrases. A 百科全书 explains concepts, history, and science. You go to a dictionary to see how to use a word; you go to an encyclopedia to learn about the subject the word represents.
辞海 (cíhǎi)
Literally 'Sea of Words.' This is a famous, massive Chinese dictionary and encyclopedia hybrid. It is much more prestigious and comprehensive than a standard dictionary and is often used as a synonym for a great source of knowledge.
类书 (lèishū)
An ancient Chinese reference work. Unlike modern encyclopedias that have original articles, Leishu were collections of excerpts from other books, arranged by category. This is a historical term.

If you are looking for a more casual way to say someone knows a lot, you might use 博学者 (bó xué zhě - polymath/scholar) or 万事通 (wàn shì tōng - know-it-all). 万事通 can sometimes be slightly negative, like 'Mr. Know-it-all,' whereas 百科全书 is always positive or neutral.

虽然他自称是万事通,但其实很多事都不懂。 (Although he claims to be a know-it-all, he actually doesn't understand many things.)

In a technical or digital context, you might see 知识库 (zhīshì kù - knowledge base). This is often used in IT or corporate environments to describe a digital repository of information that functions like an internal encyclopedia for employees.

Another specialized term is 大典 (dàdiǎn), which refers to a grand collection or a monumental work. For example, the Yongle Dadian (永乐大典) is one of the most famous historical works in China. It is often described as the 'world's earliest encyclopedia.'

《大英百科全书》是世界上最著名的百科全书之一。 (The 'Encyclopædia Britannica' is one of the most famous encyclopedias in the world.)

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The 'Hundred Subjects' (百科) part of the name is a poetic way of saying 'all subjects,' as the number 100 in Chinese often symbolizes completeness or a vast number.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /bǎɪ kʰɤ́ tɕʰɥɛ̌n ʂú/
US /bǎɪ kʰɤ́ tɕʰɥɛ̌n ʂú/
Primary stress on 'bǎi' and 'quán' in common rhythmic speech.
Rima com
书 (shū) rhymes with 猪 (zhū), 姑 (gū), 哭 (kū). 全 (quán) rhymes with 船 (chuán), 蓝 (lán - approximate), 边 (biān - approximate). 科 (kē) rhymes with 喝 (hē), 车 (chē), 乐 (lè).
Erros comuns
  • Mispronouncing 'quán' as 'quǎn' (third tone).
  • Pronouncing 'shū' with a second tone instead of first.
  • Failing to aspirate the 'k' in 'kē'.
  • Pronouncing 'bǎi' as 'bái' (second tone).
  • Blending 'kē' and 'quán' too quickly without distinct tone transitions.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 3/5

The characters are common but the four-character structure requires B1 level recognition.

Escrita 4/5

Writing '百科全书' correctly requires practice, especially the characters '科' and '纂' in related words.

Expressão oral 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward if tones are mastered.

Audição 2/5

Easily recognizable in academic or educational contexts.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

书 (Book) 百 (Hundred) 全 (All/Complete) 知识 (Knowledge) 学习 (Learn)

Aprenda a seguir

词典 (Dictionary) 文献 (Literature/Documents) 查阅 (Consult) 编纂 (Compile) 综述 (Summary/Review)

Avançado

大典 (Grand collection) 索引 (Index) 参考文献 (References) 博学 (Erudite) 分类学 (Taxonomy)

Gramática essencial

Measure words for books

一本百科全书 (One book), 一套百科全书 (One set).

Noun as Adjective (Attributive)

百科全书知识 (Encyclopedic knowledge).

Suffix '式' (style/type)

百科全书式的研究 (Encyclopedic-style research).

Place word + 里 (inside)

在百科全书里 (In the encyclopedia).

Passive with '被'

他被誉为活百科全书 (He is hailed as a living encyclopedia).

Exemplos por nível

1

这是一本百科全书。

This is an encyclopedia.

Uses the basic '这是...' (This is...) structure.

2

书店里有百科全书。

There are encyclopedias in the bookstore.

Uses '...里有...' (There is/are ... in ...).

3

我喜欢看百科全书。

I like reading encyclopedias.

Uses '喜欢' (to like) + verb.

4

百科全书很大。

The encyclopedia is very big.

Simple Subject + Adjective structure.

5

这本百科全书是我的。

This encyclopedia is mine.

Uses '...是我的' (is mine).

6

你看百科全书吗?

Do you read encyclopedias?

Question using the '吗' particle.

7

那里有一套百科全书。

There is a set of encyclopedias over there.

Uses the measure word '套' (tào) for a set.

8

百科全书里有很多画。

There are many pictures in the encyclopedia.

Uses '...里有很多...' (There are many ... in ...).

1

我想买一本新的百科全书。

I want to buy a new encyclopedia.

Uses '想' (want) + '买' (buy).

2

他在百科全书里找动物的照片。

He is looking for photos of animals in the encyclopedia.

Uses '在...里找...' (looking for ... in ...).

3

这套百科全书很贵,但是很好。

This set of encyclopedias is expensive, but it's very good.

Uses '...但是...' (but) to connect two clauses.

4

老师说百科全书很有用。

The teacher said encyclopedias are very useful.

Indirect speech with '说' (said).

5

我不常看纸质的百科全书。

I don't often read paper encyclopedias.

Uses '不常' (not often).

6

这本百科全书介绍了世界历史。

This encyclopedia introduces world history.

Uses '介绍' (to introduce/describe).

7

你可以从百科全书里学到很多知识。

You can learn a lot of knowledge from encyclopedias.

Uses '从...里学到...' (learn ... from ...).

8

我的生日礼物是一套百科全书。

My birthday present is a set of encyclopedias.

Noun phrase as the subject.

1

查阅百科全书可以帮助你写作业。

Consulting an encyclopedia can help you do your homework.

Uses '查阅' (cháyuè) for a more formal 'consult'.

2

他被称为“活百科全书”,因为他什么都知道。

He is called a 'living encyclopedia' because he knows everything.

Uses the passive '被' (bèi) and the metaphor '活百科全书'.

3

这本百科全书的内容非常详尽。

The content of this encyclopedia is very detailed.

Uses '详尽' (xiángjìn) to describe the content.

4

现在的孩子更喜欢用电子百科全书。

Children nowadays prefer using electronic encyclopedias.

Uses '更喜欢' (prefer/like more) and '电子' (electronic).

5

虽然百科全书很大,但它并不难读。

Although the encyclopedia is large, it is not difficult to read.

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

6

这套百科全书是上个世纪出版的。

This set of encyclopedias was published last century.

Uses the '是...的' construction to emphasize time.

7

我们需要一套更权威的百科全书。

We need a more authoritative set of encyclopedias.

Uses '权威' (authoritative) as an adjective.

8

百科全书是人类知识的结晶。

Encyclopedias are the crystallization of human knowledge.

Uses the abstract noun '结晶' (crystallization/essence).

1

这部百科全书的编纂工作耗时十年。

The compilation of this encyclopedia took ten years.

Uses '编纂' (compilation) and '耗时' (to take/consume time).

2

百科全书的词条需要定期修订。

The entries in an encyclopedia need to be revised regularly.

Uses '词条' (entry) and '修订' (to revise).

3

他在学术论文中引用了百科全书的数据。

He cited data from the encyclopedia in his academic paper.

Uses '引用' (to cite/quote).

4

互联网的普及改变了百科全书的定义。

The popularization of the internet has changed the definition of an encyclopedia.

Uses '普及' (popularization) and '定义' (definition).

5

这种百科全书式的学习方法非常有效。

This encyclopedic learning method is very effective.

Uses '百科全书式' (encyclopedic style) as an adjective.

6

该百科全书涵盖了自然科学的各个领域。

The encyclopedia covers various fields of natural science.

Uses '涵盖' (to cover/encompass).

7

他收集了各种不同版本的百科全书。

He collected various different versions of encyclopedias.

Uses '版本' (version/edition).

8

编写百科全书是一项艰巨的任务。

Writing an encyclopedia is a daunting task.

Uses '艰巨' (arduous/daunting).

1

这部作品被誉为中世纪生活的百科全书。

This work is hailed as an encyclopedia of medieval life.

Uses '被誉为' (hailed as/praised as).

2

百科全书的客观性往往受到编撰者立场的影响。

The objectivity of an encyclopedia is often influenced by the compilers' perspective.

Uses '客观性' (objectivity) and '立场' (standpoint).

3

他博览群书,知识面之广堪称百科全书。

He reads widely, and the breadth of his knowledge is comparable to an encyclopedia.

Uses '博览群书' (read widely) and '堪称' (can be called/comparable to).

4

数字化转型使得百科全书的获取变得更加便捷。

Digital transformation has made access to encyclopedias more convenient.

Uses '数字化转型' (digital transformation) and '便捷' (convenient).

5

这套百科全书在学术界享有极高的声誉。

This set of encyclopedias enjoys a very high reputation in academia.

Uses '学术界' (academia) and '享有...声誉' (enjoys a reputation).

6

百科全书不仅是工具书,更是文化遗产。

Encyclopedias are not just reference books, but also cultural heritage.

Uses '不仅是...更是...' (not only... but even more...).

7

在信息爆炸的时代,如何筛选百科全书的信息至关重要。

In the era of information explosion, how to filter information in encyclopedias is crucial.

Uses '信息爆炸' (information explosion) and '筛选' (to filter/screen).

8

这部百科全书试图构建一个完整的知识体系。

This encyclopedia attempts to construct a complete system of knowledge.

Uses '构建' (to construct) and '知识体系' (knowledge system).

1

百科全书式的宏大叙事在当代文学中已不多见。

Encyclopedic grand narratives are rare in contemporary literature.

Uses '宏大叙事' (grand narrative) and '不多见' (rare).

2

该百科全书对词条的分类体现了当时的权力结构。

The taxonomy of entries in this encyclopedia reflects the power structures of the time.

Uses '分类' (taxonomy/classification) and '体现' (reflect).

3

他试图以一人之力编纂一部涵盖古今中外的百科全书。

He attempted to compile an encyclopedia covering all times and places by himself.

Uses '以一人之力' (by one's own effort) and '涵盖古今中外' (covering everything ancient/modern, Chinese/foreign).

4

百科全书的局限性在于它无法穷尽人类所有的感性经验。

The limitation of an encyclopedia lies in its inability to exhaust all human sensory experiences.

Uses '局限性' (limitation) and '感性经验' (sensory/perceptual experience).

5

维基百科的出现彻底解构了传统百科全书的权威性。

The emergence of Wikipedia has completely deconstructed the authority of traditional encyclopedias.

Uses '解构' (deconstruct) and '权威性' (authority).

6

这部电影是对那个时代社会风貌的百科全书式呈现。

This film is an encyclopedic presentation of the social atmosphere of that era.

Uses '社会风貌' (social atmosphere/features) and '呈现' (presentation).

7

编纂百科全书需要极高的学术严谨性和逻辑一致性。

Compiling an encyclopedia requires extremely high academic rigor and logical consistency.

Uses '学术严谨性' (academic rigor) and '逻辑一致性' (logical consistency).

8

百科全书的存在本身就是对蒙昧主义的一种反抗。

The existence of an encyclopedia itself is a form of resistance against obscurantism.

Uses '蒙昧主义' (obscurantism) and '反抗' (resistance).

Colocações comuns

查阅百科全书
编纂百科全书
一套百科全书
百科全书式的
活百科全书
维基百科
修订百科全书
百科全书词条
权威的百科全书
儿童百科全书

Frases Comuns

一部百科全书

— One (work of) encyclopedia. Used to treat the entire set as a single literary work.

这部百科全书是他的心血结晶。

百科全书知识

— Encyclopedic knowledge. Referring to having broad and deep knowledge.

他的百科全书知识让所有人感到惊讶。

百科全书编委会

— Encyclopedia editorial board. The group responsible for managing the content.

他受邀加入百科全书编委会。

大百科全书

— Great Encyclopedia. Often used for major national projects like 'Zhongguo Da Baike Quanshu'.

《中国大百科全书》是中国第一部大型现代百科全书。

网络百科全书

— Online/Internet encyclopedia. Referring to digital platforms.

网络百科全书的更新速度非常快。

医学百科全书

— Medical encyclopedia. A specialized version focused on health and medicine.

医生办公室里放着一套医学百科全书。

百科全书式的研究

— Encyclopedic research. Research that is exhaustive and broad.

他的研究展现了百科全书式的视野。

查百科

— To check the encyclopedia. A common casual way to say 'look it up'.

如果你不懂这个词,去查百科吧。

百度百科

— Baidu Baike. The most popular online encyclopedia in mainland China.

很多人通过百度百科获取日常知识。

百科全书文化

— Encyclopedic culture. The cultural value and history of gathering knowledge.

百科全书文化反映了人类对真理的追求。

Frequentemente confundido com

百科全书 vs 词典 (cídiǎn)

A dictionary for words/phrases. Encyclopedias are for concepts/subjects.

百科全书 vs 字典 (zìdiǎn)

A dictionary specifically for individual Chinese characters.

百科全书 vs 丛书 (cóngshū)

A series of books. A series might not be an encyclopedia; it could be a collection of novels.

Expressões idiomáticas

"活百科全书"

— A person who is extremely knowledgeable. Like a 'walking encyclopedia'.

张教授简直是一部活百科全书。

informal/complimentary
"博古通今"

— To be conversant with things ancient and modern. Often used to describe someone with encyclopedic knowledge.

这位老先生博古通今,学问极大。

formal
"学富五车"

— To have wealth of knowledge equal to five cartloads of books. Describes an encyclopedic mind.

他虽然年轻,但已是学富五车。

literary
"见多识广"

— Experienced and knowledgeable. Having seen and known a lot.

他见多识广,能解决各种难题。

neutral
"无所不知"

— To know everything. Omniscient (sometimes used slightly ironically).

他表现得好像自己无所不知一样。

neutral
"博大精深"

— Broad and profound. Usually used to describe a culture or a vast body of knowledge like an encyclopedia.

中华文化博大精深。

formal
"满腹经纶"

— To have a belly full of learning. Describes someone with great talent and knowledge.

他满腹经纶,是国家需要的栋梁之才。

literary
"通晓百科"

— To be well-versed in all branches of knowledge.

作为一名记者,他必须通晓百科。

formal
"包罗万象"

— All-embracing; all-inclusive. Perfect for describing an encyclopedia's content.

这部作品内容丰富,包罗万象。

literary
"经史子集"

— The four categories of traditional Chinese literature. Often mentioned when talking about traditional encyclopedic collections.

他从小就熟读经史子集。

formal/historical

Fácil de confundir

百科全书 vs 词典

Both are reference books used for looking things up.

词典 (dictionary) focuses on linguistic definitions, usage, and pronunciation of words. 百科全书 (encyclopedia) focuses on factual information about people, places, things, and ideas.

如果你不认识这个词,查词典;如果你想了解这个国家,查百科全书。

百科全书 vs 名录

Both can contain lists of information.

名录 (directory) is a simple list of names, addresses, or items. 百科全书 contains detailed articles explaining the subjects.

电话名录只有号码,百科全书有详细介绍。

百科全书 vs 手册

Both provide useful information.

手册 (manual/handbook) is usually small and specific to a task or a single topic. 百科全书 is vast and comprehensive.

员工手册告诉你公司规定,百科全书告诉你世界历史。

百科全书 vs 年鉴

Both are factual reference books.

年鉴 (almanac/yearbook) focuses on data and events from a specific year. 百科全书 covers general, timeless knowledge.

查去年的经济数据看年鉴,查什么是经济看百科全书。

百科全书 vs 图说

Both can have many pictures.

图说 (illustrated guide) is primarily visual with brief captions. 百科全书 is primarily textual and systematic, even if it has pictures.

这本图说很漂亮,但百科全书的信息更全。

Padrões de frases

A1

这是[Measure Word]百科全书。

这是一本百科全书。

A2

我在百科全书里找[Noun]。

我在百科全书里找恐龙。

B1

[Person]简直是一部活百科全书。

他简直是一部活百科全书。

B1

通过查阅百科全书,我们可以[Verb]。

通过查阅百科全书,我们可以了解历史。

B2

这部百科全书涵盖了[Field]的所有知识。

这部百科全书涵盖了天文学的所有知识。

B2

[Noun]被收录在百科全书中。

这个词条被收录在百科全书中。

C1

[Subject]具有百科全书式的广度。

他的收藏具有百科全书式的广度。

C2

百科全书的编纂体现了[Abstract Noun]。

百科全书的编纂体现了人类对知识的渴望。

Família de palavras

Substantivos

百科 (bǎikē) - general knowledge/encyclopedia
全书 (quánshū) - complete book
百科全书派 (bǎikē quánshū pài) - the Encyclopedists (historical group)

Adjetivos

百科全书式的 (bǎikē quánshū shì de) - encyclopedic

Relacionado

词典 (cídiǎn) - dictionary
字典 (zìdiǎn) - character dictionary
参考 (cānkǎo) - reference
知识 (zhīshì) - knowledge
学术 (xuéshù) - academic

Como usar

frequency

High in educational and intellectual contexts; medium in daily casual speech.

Erros comuns
  • Using '百科全书' to look up a word's meaning. 使用'词典' (cídiǎn) 来查单词的意思。

    An encyclopedia gives you information about the subject, while a dictionary gives you the definition of the word. Don't say you're checking a word's spelling in a '百科全书'.

  • Using the measure word '个' (gè). 使用'本' (běn) 或 '套' (tào)。

    Like most books, '百科全书' requires specific measure words. '个' sounds very informal and slightly incorrect in this context.

  • Mispronouncing '全' (quán) as third tone. Pronounce '全' as second tone (quán).

    The second tone rises. If you use the third tone, it might be confused with other words or just sound unnatural.

  • Confusing '百科全书' with '丛书' (cóngshū). 百科全书 is for knowledge; 丛书 is for a series of books.

    A '丛书' is any series of books (like Harry Potter). A '百科全书' is specifically a reference work containing factual articles.

  • Saying '百科全书书' (Baike Quanshu Shu). 只需说'百科全书' (Baike Quanshu).

    The '书' is already included in the term. Adding another '书' at the end is redundant and incorrect.

Dicas

Using '套' for Sets

Encyclopedias are almost always multi-volume sets. Using '一套百科全书' (yī tào bǎikē quánshū) sounds much more natural and precise than using the generic '个' (gè) or even '本' (běn) if you mean the whole collection.

Metaphorical 'Living' Encyclopedia

The phrase '活百科全书' (huó bǎikē quánshū) is a powerful idiom to have in your pocket. Use it to compliment a teacher, a knowledgeable friend, or a grandparent. It sounds very native and sophisticated.

Baidu vs. Wikipedia

In mainland China, 'Baidu Baike' is much more frequently cited than Wikipedia. If you're talking to people in China, mentioning '百度百科' will likely lead to more relatable conversations about looking things up.

Master the Tones

The tones in 'bǎikē quánshū' (3-1-2-1) follow a nice dip-high-rise-high pattern. Practicing this rhythm will help you say the word clearly and correctly in fast speech.

The Character '科'

Be careful with '科'. The left side is '禾' (hé - grain), which relates to the 'branches' or 'fields' of study (like stalks in a field). Don't confuse it with '木' (mù - wood).

Research Verbs

Pair '百科全书' with the verb '查阅' (cháyuè) for a more academic tone. Using '看' (kàn) is fine for kids, but '查阅' shows you are doing serious reference work.

Character Breakdown

Remember the word by its parts: 百 (100) + 科 (Subject) + 全 (Complete) + 书 (Book). It's the 'Complete Book of a Hundred Subjects.' This breakdown makes the long word much easier to memorize.

Abbreviating correctly

While '百科' is a common abbreviation, never use '全书' on its own to mean encyclopedia. '全书' just means 'the whole book' and loses the specific reference to comprehensive knowledge.

Adjectival Use

To describe something as 'encyclopedic,' use '百科全书式的'. For example: '百科全书式的广博' (encyclopedic breadth). This is a great way to elevate your descriptions of people's talents.

Identifying 'Baike'

In modern speech, 'Baike' is often used as a verb. If someone says '我去百科一下' (Wǒ qù bǎikē yīxià), they mean they are going to look it up on an online encyclopedia.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Imagine a library with ONE HUNDRED (百) SUBJECTS (科) all in ONE COMPLETE (全) BOOK (书).

Associação visual

Visualize a massive, 20-volume set of books on a shelf, with each volume representing a different branch of knowledge like science, history, and art.

Word Web

知识 (Knowledge) 图书馆 (Library) 查阅 (Consult) 词条 (Entry) 维基 (Wiki) 权威 (Authority) 全面 (Comprehensive) 学者 (Scholar)

Desafio

Try to find the 'Baike' (百科) section in a Chinese bookstore or website and identify three different topics listed there.

Origem da palavra

The term is a modern Japanese-influenced Chinese compound (Wasei-kango). It was coined to translate the Western concept of an encyclopedia into East Asian languages in the late 19th/early 20th century.

Significado original: A book (书) that is complete (全) and covers a hundred (百) subjects (科).

Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese).

Contexto cultural

Generally a neutral and positive term. No specific sensitivities.

Similar to the status of the 'Encyclopædia Britannica' in the West, which is often the first reference point for learners.

《中国大百科全书》 (Great Chinese Encyclopedia) 《大英百科全书》 (Encyclopædia Britannica) 《永乐大典》 (Yongle Encyclopedia)

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Library/School

  • 图书馆的参考书区有百科全书。
  • 老师让我们在百科全书里找答案。
  • 这套百科全书不能外借。
  • 我需要查阅最新的百科全书。

Complimenting someone

  • 你真是一部活百科全书!
  • 他的知识面像百科全书一样广。
  • 有什么问题问他就行,他是百科全书。
  • 我佩服他那种百科全书式的记忆力。

Internet/Digital

  • 我在百度百科上看到了这个词。
  • 网络百科全书非常方便。
  • 维基百科的资料很全。
  • 你可以百科一下这个历史事件。

Bookstore

  • 请问百科全书在哪个书架?
  • 我想买一套适合孩子看的百科全书。
  • 这套百科全书正在打折。
  • 有没有关于科学的专业百科全书?

Academic Research

  • 百科全书是研究的基础工具。
  • 引用百科全书时要注意版本。
  • 百科全书提供了词条的背景信息。
  • 这篇文章的深度已经超过了百科全书。

Iniciadores de conversa

"你家里有纸质的百科全书吗? (Do you have paper encyclopedias at home?)"

"你觉得维基百科的信息可靠吗? (Do you think information on Wikipedia is reliable?)"

"你最喜欢百科全书里的哪个主题? (Which subject in the encyclopedia do you like best?)"

"如果你要编写一部百科全书,你会写什么? (If you were to compile an encyclopedia, what would you write?)"

"你认识被称为“活百科全书”的人吗? (Do you know anyone called a 'living encyclopedia'?)"

Temas para diário

描述一本你小时候看过的百科全书。 (Describe an encyclopedia you read when you were a child.)

谈谈互联网如何改变了我们查阅百科全书的方式。 (Discuss how the internet has changed the way we consult encyclopedias.)

为什么百科全书对人类文明很重要? (Why are encyclopedias important to human civilization?)

如果你是一部百科全书,你最擅长哪个章节? (If you were an encyclopedia, which chapter would you be best at?)

比较字典和百科全书的区别。 (Compare the differences between a dictionary and an encyclopedia.)

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Yes, '百科' is a common abbreviation for '百科全书'. In casual conversation or when referring to websites like Baidu Baike, people usually just say '百科'. However, in formal writing or when referring to a physical set of books, the full term '百科全书' is preferred.

If you are talking about one single volume, use '本' (běn). If you are referring to a whole set of volumes (which encyclopedias often are), use '套' (tào). In very formal or literary contexts, you might also use '部' (bù) to refer to the encyclopedia as a monumental work.

Yes, but you must use the phrase '活百科全书' (huó bǎikē quánshū), which means 'living encyclopedia.' It is a common and very complimentary way to describe someone who has a vast amount of knowledge on many different topics.

Wikipedia is translated as '维基百科' (Wéijī Bǎikē). Notice how it uses the 'Baike' abbreviation. Similarly, the popular Chinese site is '百度百科' (Bǎidù Bǎikē).

The word itself is modern (from the late 19th century). Ancient China had similar works called 'Leishu' (类书). However, famous works like the 'Yongle Dadian' are often called '百科全书' in modern discussions because they fit the definition.

It is always '百科全书'. The order is 'Hundred-Subjects Complete-Book.' Reversing it would not make sense in Chinese grammar.

It is a noun, but it can act like an adjective if you add '式的' (shì de) at the end, as in '百科全书式的知识' (encyclopedic knowledge). Without '式的', it is just a noun.

A '词典' (dictionary) tells you how to use words. A '百科全书' (encyclopedia) tells you about the things those words represent. For example, a dictionary defines 'Lion,' but an encyclopedia tells you where lions live, what they eat, and their history.

Yes, it is very common in educational, academic, and intellectual settings. Most Chinese speakers will know this word by the time they are in elementary school.

You simply add the subject before the word. For example, '医学百科全书' (Medical Encyclopedia), '历史百科全书' (History Encyclopedia), or '儿童百科全书' (Children's Encyclopedia).

Teste-se 200 perguntas

writing

用‘百科全书’写一个简单的句子。

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

描述一下百科全书对你学习的帮助。

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

如果你是一个‘活百科全书’,你最想了解哪个方面的知识?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

比较纸质百科全书和电子百科全书的优缺点。

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

为什么‘活百科全书’是一个很高的评价?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

写一段话介绍一本你喜欢的百科全书。

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

解释‘百科全书’这四个字分别代表什么。

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writing

翻译句子:He is a walking encyclopedia.

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writing

翻译句子:Wikipedia is the largest online encyclopedia.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

你认为百科全书在未来会消失吗?为什么?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

用‘查阅’和‘百科全书’造句。

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

写出三个‘百科全书’的常见搭配。

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

如果你要给孩子写一本百科全书,你会放什么内容?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

翻译句子:The compilation of this encyclopedia took many years.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

描述一个你查阅百科全书的经历。

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

写出‘百科全书’的近义词。

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writing

用‘百科全书式的’形容一个人的学问。

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writing

为什么百科全书被称为‘知识的结晶’?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

翻译句子:This encyclopedia covers all aspects of history.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

写一个包含‘百度百科’的句子。

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

请大声朗读:百科全书 (bǎikē quánshū)。

Read this aloud:

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speaking

用‘百科全书’造一个关于图书馆的句子。

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speaking

解释什么是‘活百科全书’。

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speaking

你更喜欢纸质书还是电子百科全书?为什么?

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speaking

向朋友推荐一套百科全书。

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speaking

大声朗读:维基百科是目前世界上最大的在线百科全书。

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speaking

如果你要写一个词条,你会写关于什么的?

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speaking

谈谈你对‘百度百科’的看法。

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speaking

大声朗读:这套百科全书一共有二十卷。

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speaking

描述一下你见过的最厚的百科全书。

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speaking

你认为百科全书在现代社会还有用吗?

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speaking

大声朗读:他拥有百科全书式的博学。

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speaking

如果你被困在荒岛上只能带一本书,你会带百科全书吗?

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speaking

大声朗读:查阅百科全书是开始研究的第一步。

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speaking

解释‘百、科、全、书’四个字的意思。

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speaking

说出一个你最近查过的百科词条。

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speaking

大声朗读:这部作品被誉为中世纪生活的百科全书。

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speaking

谈谈你小时候查百科全书的记忆。

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speaking

大声朗读:百科全书是人类智慧的结晶。

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speaking

你会如何评价一个编纂百科全书的人?

Read this aloud:

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listening

听力练习:‘我明天要去图书馆查百科全书。’ 问题:他明天要做什么?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

听力练习:‘这套百科全书打八折。’ 问题:这套书的价格怎么样?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
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listening

听力练习:‘王老师简直就是个活百科全书。’ 问题:说话人对王老师的评价如何?

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listening

听力练习:‘维基百科的信息更新非常快。’ 问题:维基百科有什么特点?

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listening

听力练习:‘这本百科全书是送给你的生日礼物。’ 问题:礼物是什么?

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listening

听力练习:‘你应该查阅百科全书来核实这个事实。’ 问题:建议怎么做?

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

听力练习:‘编纂百科全书需要很多专家的参与。’ 问题:谁参与了编纂?

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listening

听力练习:‘这套百科全书共有十卷。’ 问题:书有多少卷?

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listening

听力练习:‘现在的孩子更喜欢用手机查百科。’ 问题:孩子喜欢用什么查资料?

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listening

听力练习:‘这部百科全书涵盖了自然科学的所有领域。’ 问题:这本书的内容是什么?

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listening

听力练习:‘他在百科全书里找到了恐龙的图片。’ 问题:他找到了什么?

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listening

听力练习:‘这本百科全书已经出版很多年了。’ 问题:这本书是新的吗?

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listening

听力练习:‘查阅百科全书是一个好习惯。’ 问题:什么是好习惯?

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listening

听力练习:‘百科全书通常放在参考书区。’ 问题:在哪里找百科全书?

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

听力练习:‘这套精装的百科全书非常精美。’ 问题:书看起来怎么样?

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/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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