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. ====== lǚguǎn: 旅馆 - Hotel, Inn ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** lǚguǎn, 旅馆, Chinese hotel, book a hotel in China, lǚguǎn meaning, what is a lǚguǎn, 酒店 jiǔdiàn vs 旅馆 lǚguǎn, accommodation in China, Chinese inn, travel in China, HSK 3 vocabulary. * **Summary:** Learn the meaning and use of **旅馆 (lǚguǎn)**, a common Chinese word for a hotel or inn. This guide explores its cultural context, differentiates it from similar terms like 酒店 (jiǔdiàn), and provides practical example sentences. Discover what kind of accommodation a **旅馆** typically is and how to use the term correctly when traveling in China. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** lǚ guǎn * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 3 * **Concise Definition:** A place that provides lodging and other services for travelers; a hotel or inn. * **In a Nutshell:** **旅馆 (lǚguǎn)** is a general and slightly traditional term for a place to stay while traveling. Think of it as the default word for "hotel," often implying a more functional, budget-friendly, or smaller establishment compared to a luxurious, modern high-rise. It's the Chinese equivalent of an "inn" or "motel." ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **旅 (lǚ):** This character means "to travel" or "journey." It depicts people traveling under a banner, evoking the image of a traveling party or caravan. * **馆 (guǎn):** This character means "establishment," "hall," or "shop." It's a common suffix for buildings with a specific public purpose, like a restaurant (饭馆 fànguǎn) or a museum (博物馆 bówùguǎn). * Together, **旅 (travel) + 馆 (establishment)** literally means a "travel establishment"—a place built specifically for travelers to rest. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== Historically, travelers in China stayed at a **客栈 (kèzhàn)**, a traditional inn that often served as a teahouse and a stable for horses. **旅馆 (lǚguǎn)** is the more modern evolution of this concept, emerging in the 20th century. The key cultural distinction for a learner is understanding **旅馆** in relation to its modern counterparts. In Western culture, the word "hotel" covers everything from a cheap roadside motel to the Ritz-Carlton. In Chinese, the choice of word subtly signals the establishment's class and style: * **旅馆 (lǚguǎn):** Often implies a smaller, independently-run, or more basic hotel. It's functional and focused on providing a place to sleep. It's comparable to a motel, a simple inn, or a 2-star hotel in the West. * **酒店 (jiǔdiàn):** This term is used for larger, more modern, and often more luxurious hotels that offer a wide range of amenities like restaurants, conference rooms, and gyms. This is the word you'd use for a Marriott, Hilton, or any major chain hotel. * **宾馆 (bīnguǎn):** Translates to "guesthouse." These were traditionally state-run and used to host officials and dignitaries. Today, the term is still used for many hotels, sometimes implying a slightly more formal or official character, though they can range from mid-tier to very high-end. Choosing the right word reflects your expectations. If you're looking for simple, affordable lodging, you're looking for a **旅馆**. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== In modern China, **旅馆** is a widely understood term, though it's less common in the marketing materials of upscale hotels, which prefer the more prestigious-sounding **酒店 (jiǔdiàn)**. * **On the Street:** You will frequently see signs with "**旅馆**" on the street, especially in smaller cities, older neighborhoods, or near train stations. These signs indicate no-frills, affordable accommodation. * **In Conversation:** It's a perfectly neutral and common word to use when asking for directions ("Is there a hotel nearby?") or talking about past travel ("We stayed at a small lǚguǎn."). * **Connotation:** The connotation is generally neutral but can lean towards "basic" or "budget." It's not negative, but it doesn't suggest luxury. If a friend tells you they are staying in a **旅馆**, you would not assume they are at a five-star resort. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 我们在火车站附近找了一家**旅馆**。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen zài huǒchēzhàn fùjìn zhǎole yī jiā **lǚguǎn**. * English: We found a hotel near the train station. * Analysis: This is a very common and practical scenario. Hotels near train stations are often the functional, no-frills type, making **旅馆** the perfect word here. * **Example 2:** * 这家**旅馆**的价格很便宜。 * Pinyin: Zhè jiā **lǚguǎn** de jiàgé hěn piányi. * English: This hotel's price is very cheap. * Analysis: This sentence highlights the common association of **旅馆** with affordability. * **Example 3:** * 请问，这家**旅馆**一个晚上多少钱？ * Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, zhè jiā **lǚguǎn** yī gè wǎnshang duōshao qián? * English: Excuse me, how much is one night at this hotel? * Analysis: A standard question a traveler would ask when checking prices at a smaller inn or hotel. * **Example 4:** * 虽然这个**旅馆**有点旧，但是很干净。 * Pinyin: Suīrán zhège **lǚguǎn** yǒudiǎn jiù, dànshì hěn gānjìng. * English: Although this hotel is a bit old, it's very clean. * Analysis: This shows how **旅馆** can be used to describe the condition of the lodging, acknowledging it might not be the most modern place. * **Example 5:** * 你想住**旅馆**还是五星级酒店？ * Pinyin: Nǐ xiǎng zhù **lǚguǎn** háishì wǔxīngjí jiǔdiàn? * English: Do you want to stay in a simple hotel (inn) or a five-star hotel? * Analysis: This sentence directly contrasts **旅馆** with a high-end hotel (酒店), making the difference in class very clear. * **Example 6:** * 他开了一家小**旅馆**来招待游客。 * Pinyin: Tā kāile yī jiā xiǎo **lǚguǎn** lái zhāodài yóukè. * English: He opened a small inn to host tourists. * Analysis: The classifier "家 (jiā)" is commonly used for businesses like hotels, restaurants, and shops. * **Example 7:** * 我们的旅行预算不多，只能住便宜的**旅馆**。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen de lǚxíng yùsuàn bù duō, zhǐ néng zhù piányi de **lǚguǎn**. * English: Our travel budget isn't big, so we can only stay in cheap hotels. * Analysis: This reinforces the association of **旅馆** with budget-friendly travel. * **Example 8:** * 你需要提前预订**旅馆**的房间吗？ * Pinyin: Nǐ xūyào tíqián yùdìng **lǚguǎn** de fángjiān ma? * English: Do you need to book the hotel room in advance? * Analysis: A practical sentence combining the target word with other key travel vocabulary like "预订 (yùdìng) - to book" and "房间 (fángjiān) - room". * **Example 9:** * 这家**旅馆**不提供早餐。 * Pinyin: Zhè jiā **lǚguǎn** bù tígōng zǎocān. * English: This hotel doesn't provide breakfast. * Analysis: This sentence describes the limited services that might be expected from a more basic **旅馆**. * **Example 10:** * 走了很长的路，我们终于找到了一个可以休息的**旅馆**。 * Pinyin: Zǒule hěn cháng de lù, wǒmen zhōngyú zhǎodàole yī gè kěyǐ xiūxi de **lǚguǎn**. * English: After walking a long way, we finally found a hotel where we could rest. * Analysis: This sentence captures the feeling of a weary traveler finding simple, welcome lodging. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== The most common pitfall for learners is not understanding the difference between **旅馆**, **酒店**, and **宾馆**. Using the wrong one isn't a critical error, but it can sound strange or misrepresent the place you're talking about. * **Mistake:** Using **旅馆** for a luxury hotel. * **Incorrect:** 我住在上海的丽思卡尔顿**旅馆**。(Wǒ zhù zài Shànghǎi de Lìsī Kǎ'ěrdùn **lǚguǎn**.) - //"I'm staying at the Ritz-Carlton inn."// * **Why it's wrong:** The Ritz-Carlton is a world-famous luxury brand. Calling it a **旅馆** is a major understatement and sounds comical, like calling a palace a "shack." * **Correct:** 我住在上海的丽思卡尔顿**酒店**。(Wǒ zhù zài Shànghǎi de Lìsī Kǎ'ěrdùn **jiǔdiàn**.) * **Key Distinction Summary:** * **旅馆 (lǚguǎn):** Use for motels, inns, budget hotels, or when speaking generally about a place to stay without specifying its quality. * **酒店 (jiǔdiàn):** Use for mid-range to high-end hotels, major hotel chains (Marriott, Hyatt, etc.), resorts, and places with multiple amenities. * **宾馆 (bīnguǎn):** Use for places specifically named "Binguǎn," or when referring to official guesthouses. It's less of a general-purpose word than the other two. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[酒店]] (jiǔdiàn) - A more modern and often upscale hotel; the most common word for a standard Western-style hotel. * [[宾馆]] (bīnguǎn) - Guesthouse; often has a more formal or official feel. * [[客栈]] (kèzhàn) - A traditional, historical-style inn; now often used for boutique hotels with a classic Chinese theme. * [[民宿]] (mínsù) - Homestay, B&B, or guesthouse run by a local family, similar to Airbnb. * [[青年旅舍]] (qīngnián lǚshè) - Youth hostel. * [[旅行]] (lǚxíng) - To travel; the root action that necessitates a **旅馆**. * [[预订]] (yùdìng) - To book or make a reservation. * [[入住]] (rùzhù) - To check in (to a hotel). * [[退房]] (tuìfáng) - To check out (of a hotel). * [[房间]] (fángjiān) - Room (in a building, including a hotel).