Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== chuándān: 传单 - Flyer, Leaflet, Handbill ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** chuandan, 传单, Chinese flyer, Chinese leaflet, Chinese pamphlet, what is chuandan, how to say leaflet in Chinese, propaganda flyer China, HSK 4 vocabulary. * **Summary:** Learn all about the Chinese word **传单 (chuándān)**, which means "flyer," "leaflet," or "handbill." This comprehensive guide covers its meaning, character breakdown, cultural context (from street advertising to historical propaganda), and provides over 10 practical example sentences. Discover how **传单 (chuándān)** is used in everyday life in China, from receiving a restaurant promotion on the street to understanding its role in historical events. This page is perfect for beginner to intermediate Chinese learners looking for practical, real-world vocabulary. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** chuándān * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 * **Concise Definition:** A printed sheet of paper, often containing advertising or information, that is distributed for free. * **In a Nutshell:** **传单 (chuándān)** is the word for any single sheet of paper handed to you on the street or put in your mailbox. It could be advertising a new gym, a restaurant's daily special, a real estate agency, or a notice from your apartment complex. The word itself breaks down into "transmit" (传) and "sheet/list" (单), perfectly capturing the idea of a "transmitted sheet" of information. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **传 (chuán):** To pass on, to transmit, to spread, to hand down. Pictorially, you can think of this character as representing the action of one person passing something along. It's the core of words related to transmission, like "tradition" (传统 - chuántǒng) and "to broadcast" (传播 - chuánbō). * **单 (dān):** Single, list, sheet, bill. This character originally meant "single" or "odd number." It's now used in many words to refer to a single sheet of something, like a menu (菜单 - càidān) or a form/bill (账单 - zhàngdān). When combined, **传 (chuán) + 单 (dān)** literally means "a transmitted sheet," which is a perfect and logical description of a flyer or leaflet. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== While a "flyer" might seem like a simple concept, **传单 (chuándān)** has a distinct presence in Chinese life. In modern China, especially in bustling cities, receiving a **传单** is an everyday experience. At the exits of subway stations, outside shopping malls, and on pedestrian bridges, you'll almost always find people handing out flyers for restaurants, gyms, tutoring centers, and real estate. This form of direct marketing, known as **地推 (dìtuī)** or "ground promotion," is far more common and in-your-face than in many Western countries due to the high population density. Historically, the **传单** also played a significant role in politics and conflict. During the 20th century, from the Second Sino-Japanese War to the Chinese Civil War and beyond, **传单** were a primary tool for propaganda. Airdropped over enemy lines or secretly distributed in cities, they were used to spread political messages, demoralize troops, and rally support. Because of this history, while the word is neutral today, it carries a more serious potential weight than the English "flyer," which is almost exclusively commercial. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **传单 (chuándān)** is a very practical and common word. Its usage is almost always neutral and descriptive. * **Street Marketing:** This is the most common context. You'll often hear the verb phrase **发传单 (fā chuándān)**, meaning "to hand out flyers." * **Community Notices:** Property management companies (物业 - wùyè) use **传单** to inform residents about maintenance, water shutoffs, or new rules. These are often posted inside elevators or on community bulletin boards. * **Business Promotions:** A small business might design a **传单** to announce a grand opening, a special sale, or to include a discount coupon (优惠券 - yōuhuìquàn). * **Historical Discussion:** When talking about history or watching historical dramas, you'll hear **传单** used in the context of propaganda or spreading information during wartime. ===== Example Sentences ===== **Example 1:** * 我在地铁口拿到一张健身房的**传单**。 * Pinyin: Wǒ zài dìtiě kǒu nádào yī zhāng jiànshēnfáng de **chuándān**. * English: I got a flyer for a gym at the subway entrance. * Analysis: This is a classic, everyday scenario. The measure word for 传单 is **张 (zhāng)**, which is used for flat objects like paper or tables. **Example 2:** * 他们雇了一些学生在街上发**传单**。 * Pinyin: Tāmen gùle yīxiē xuéshēng zài jiē shàng fā **chuándān**. * English: They hired some students to hand out flyers on the street. * Analysis: Here, **发传单 (fā chuándān)** is used as a verb-object phrase meaning "to distribute flyers." This is a very common part-time job for students in China. **Example 3:** * 这张**传单**上有一个八折的优惠券。 * Pinyin: Zhè zhāng **chuándān** shàng yǒu yī ge bā zhé de yōuhuìquàn. * English: There is a 20% off coupon on this flyer. * Analysis: This shows the practical purpose of many flyers. **八折 (bā zhé)** means "80% of the original price," which is a 20% discount. **Example 4:** * 请不要在这里乱贴**传单**。 * Pinyin: Qǐng bùyào zài zhèlǐ luàn tiē **chuándān**. * English: Please don't randomly stick flyers here. * Analysis: **贴 (tiē)** means "to stick" or "to paste." This is a common sign you might see on walls or utility poles. **乱 (luàn)** means messily or randomly. **Example 5:** * 我们需要为新店开业设计一份**传单**。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào wèi xīn diàn kāiyè shèjì yī fèn **chuándān**. * English: We need to design a flyer for the new store's grand opening. * Analysis: **设计 (shèjì)** means "to design." The measure word **份 (fèn)** can also be used for documents or sets of things, making it a suitable alternative to 张 (zhāng) in this context. **Example 6:** * 物业把停水通知的**传单**贴在了电梯里。 * Pinyin: Wùyè bǎ tíng shuǐ tōngzhī de **chuándān** tiē zài le diàntī lǐ. * English: The property management posted the water shutoff notice flyer in the elevator. * Analysis: This demonstrates the use of 传单 for official community notices. The **把 (bǎ)** structure is used to emphasize the action's effect on the object. **Example 7:** * 我的猫丢了，我准备印一些**传单**去找它。 * Pinyin: Wǒ de māo diū le, wǒ zhǔnbèi yìn yīxiē **chuándān** qù zhǎo tā. * English: My cat is lost, I'm preparing to print some flyers to look for it. * Analysis: A personal and relatable use of the word. **印 (yìn)** means "to print." **Example 8:** * 在战争期间，飞机向敌方阵地投下了宣传**传单**。 * Pinyin: Zài zhànzhēng qíjiān, fēijī xiàng dífāng zhèndì tóuxià le xuānchuán **chuándān**. * English: During the war, airplanes dropped propaganda flyers over the enemy's position. * Analysis: This shows the historical, political context. **宣传 (xuānchuán)** means "propaganda" or "to publicize." **Example 9:** * 他对收到的所有**传单**都看也不看就扔了。 * Pinyin: Tā duì shōudào de suǒyǒu **chuándān** dōu kàn yě bù kàn jiù rēng le. * English: He throws away all the flyers he receives without even looking at them. * Analysis: This reflects the common attitude of being slightly annoyed by the constant stream of flyers. **Example 10:** * 这份**传单**做得太丑了，根本吸引不了顾客。 * Pinyin: Zhè fèn **chuándān** zuò de tài chǒu le, gēnběn xīyǐn bùliǎo gùkè. * English: This flyer is made so ugly, it can't attract customers at all. * Analysis: A sentence expressing an opinion about the quality of a flyer. **吸引 (xīyǐn)** means "to attract." ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **传单 (chuándān) vs. 海报 (hǎibào):** This is the most common point of confusion for learners. * **传单 (chuándān):** A small, handheld sheet of paper meant for distribution. You **hand out (发)** a 传单. * **海报 (hǎibào):** A poster. It's larger and meant to be displayed on a wall. You **put up (贴)** a 海报. * Incorrect: 我把演唱会的**传单**贴在了墙上。(I stuck the concert flyer on the wall.) * Correct: 我把演唱会的**海报**贴在了墙上。(I stuck the concert poster on the wall.) * **传单 (chuándān) vs. 宣传册 (xuānchuán cè):** * **传单 (chuándān):** A single sheet, maybe folded once. Low-cost and simple. * **宣传册 (xuānchuán cè):** A brochure or booklet. It's multi-paged, higher quality, and contains more detailed information. A car dealership gives out a 宣传册; a local noodle shop hands out a 传单. * **Physical vs. Digital:** The word **传单** strongly implies a physical, paper object. While people might understand you colloquially, it's not the correct term for a digital advertisement. For a promotional image sent on WeChat, you would more likely use **推广图片 (tuīguǎng túpiàn)** (promotional image) or **电子海报 (diànzǐ hǎibào)** (electronic poster). ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[发传单]] (fā chuándān) - The specific verb phrase meaning "to distribute/hand out flyers." * [[海报]] (hǎibào) - Poster; a large printed picture or notice put up in a public place. * [[广告]] (guǎnggào) - Advertisement; the general term for any kind of ad (TV, print, online). * [[宣传]] (xuānchuán) - To publicize, to promote; propaganda. This is the //action// or //concept// of promotion, whereas a 传单 is a //tool// for it. * [[宣传册]] (xuānchuán cè) - Brochure, booklet; a more formal and detailed promotional document. * [[优惠券]] (yōuhuìquàn) - Coupon; often included on a 传单. * [[打折]] (dǎzhé) - To give a discount; a common reason for creating a 传单. * [[地推]] (dìtuī) - "Ground promotion"; a modern marketing buzzword for on-the-street, direct-to-customer marketing, which heavily involves 发传单. * [[张]] (zhāng) - The primary measure word for flyers and other flat objects.