Meaning of 图书
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- books (in a library or bookstore)
Measure word: 本,冊|册,部
How to use 图书
图书 is a formal, collective word for books, used on signs, in libraries, bookstores and official writing. In everyday talk people usually just say 书 (shū). Example: 这家书店的图书很多。(Zhè jiā shūdiàn de túshū hěn duō.) This bookstore has a lot of books.
图 (tú) means picture or chart, as in 地图 (dìtú) map, and 书 (shū) means book. Put pictures and books together and you get 图书, the general word for books and printed materials you find on library or store shelves.
Common mistake: Learners often use 图书 with a measure word like 一本图书 when talking casually about one book, which sounds stiff. Say 一本书 (yì běn shū) instead, and keep 图书 for books as a category or collection.
图书 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
图 tú · diagram · 8 strokes
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- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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- 8
书 shū · book · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Related words
Words that share a character with 图书.
Questions about 图书
What does 图书 mean?
图书 (túshū) means "books (in a library or bookstore)" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 图书?
图书 is made of 2 characters: 图 (8 strokes), 书 (4 strokes). That is 12 strokes in total.
Is 图书 an HSK word?
Yes. 图书 is on the HSK 6 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 图书 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 图书 is written 圖書.
What is the difference between 图书 and 书?
书 (shū) is the everyday word and can mean a single book. 图书 (túshū) is more formal and refers to books as a collection or category, such as 图书管理 (túshū guǎnlǐ) library management.
Does 图书 only mean picture books?
No. Even though 图 (tú) means picture, 图书 covers all kinds of books. A picture book for children is usually called 绘本 (huìběn) or 图画书 (túhuàshū).