====== túshūguǎn: 图书馆 - Library ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** library in Chinese, how to say library in Mandarin, tushuguan meaning, Chinese word for library, 图书馆, túshūguǎn, Chinese library, study in China, borrow books Chinese, HSK 2 vocabulary
  * **Summary:** Learn how to say "library" in Chinese with our detailed guide to **图书馆 (túshūguǎn)**. This entry breaks down the characters 图 (tú - picture), 书 (shū - book), and 馆 (guǎn - hall), explaining how they combine to form this essential HSK 2 word. Discover practical examples for visiting a Chinese library, asking for directions, or talking about studying. Whether you're a student in China or just learning Mandarin, understanding **túshūguǎn** is fundamental for daily life and conversation.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** túshūguǎn
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 2
  * **Concise Definition:** A building or institution that houses a collection of books, periodicals, and other materials for reading, borrowing, and reference.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **图书馆 (túshūguǎn)** is the direct and most common word for "library" in Mandarin Chinese. It refers to any place, from a grand national library to a small school library, where you can read and borrow books. The word itself is very logical, literally meaning a "hall of pictures and books," making it easy for beginners to remember.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **图 (tú):** This character's primary meaning is "picture," "drawing," or "map." In this context, it represents all the illustrated materials, charts, and diagrams you might find in a library alongside text.
  * **书 (shū):** This is a straightforward and essential character meaning "book" or "writing." It forms the core concept of the word.
  * **馆 (guǎn):** This character means a "hall," "pavilion," or a large building for a specific public purpose. You'll see it in other words like 饭馆 (fànguǎn - restaurant) and 博物馆 (bówùguǎn - museum).
Putting them together, **图 (pictures) + 书 (books) + 馆 (hall)** creates the logical and descriptive term "hall of pictures and books," which is precisely what a library is.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
In China, as in the West, libraries are pillars of education and knowledge. However, their cultural role can feel more intense, deeply tied to the high value placed on scholarship, a legacy of Confucian ideals.
A key difference can be seen in the university library atmosphere. While a local American library might be a quiet community hub for all ages, a major Chinese university **图书馆** is often a battleground for academic survival. During exam periods, it's common to see students lining up before dawn just to secure a study spot. This reflects the intense academic competition known as 内卷 (nèijuǎn). These libraries are not just for borrowing books; they are vital, high-energy arenas for focused self-study (自习 - zìxí). Modern public libraries in major Chinese cities are also often grand architectural landmarks, symbolizing national pride and investment in public education.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**图书馆** is a standard, neutral term used in all contexts, from casual conversation to formal announcements.
  * **Asking for Directions:** It's a key landmark word. You'll frequently use it when navigating a new city or campus. For example: "请问，**图书馆**在哪儿？" (Excuse me, where is the library?).
  * **Making Plans:** It's a common meeting place for students or anyone looking for a quiet place to work. For example: "我们下午在**图书馆**见吧。" (Let's meet at the library this afternoon.).
  * **Describing Activities:** It's used to talk about borrowing/returning books, studying, or doing research. For example: "我周末要去**图书馆**还书。" (I need to go to the library this weekend to return books.).
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 我们学校的**图书馆**很大很漂亮。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen xuéxiào de **túshūguǎn** hěn dà hěn piàoliang.
    * English: Our school's library is very big and beautiful.
    * Analysis: A simple descriptive sentence. The structure "很 (hěn) + adj." is a fundamental pattern in Mandarin.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 我要去**图书馆**借几本书。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ yào qù **túshūguǎn** jiè jǐ běn shū.
    * English: I'm going to the library to borrow a few books.
    * Analysis: This sentence shows a common purpose for visiting a library. "借 (jiè)" means "to borrow," and "几 (jǐ)" here means "a few."
  * **Example 3:**
    * 请问，去**图书馆**怎么走？
    * Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, qù **túshūguǎn** zěnme zǒu?
    * English: Excuse me, how do I get to the library?
    * Analysis: An essential phrase for asking directions. "怎么走 (zěnme zǒu)" is the standard way to ask "how do I get to..."
  * **Example 4:**
    * **图书馆**里请保持安静。
    * Pinyin: **Túshūguǎn** lǐ qǐng bǎochí ānjìng.
    * English: Please keep quiet inside the library.
    * Analysis: This is a common sign or instruction you would see or hear in a Chinese library. "保持安静 (bǎochí ānjìng)" means "to maintain quiet."
  * **Example 5:**
    * 你需要一张借书证才能从**图书馆**借书。
    * Pinyin: Nǐ xūyào yī zhāng jièshūzhèng cái néng cóng **túshūguǎn** jiè shū.
    * English: You need a library card to be able to borrow books from the library.
    * Analysis: This sentence introduces the related term "借书证 (jièshūzhèng)," meaning library card.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 这家**图书馆**的开放时间是几点到几点？
    * Pinyin: Zhè jiā **túshūguǎn** de kāifàng shíjiān shì jǐ diǎn dào jǐ diǎn?
    * English: What are the opening hours of this library?
    * Analysis: A practical question for planning a visit. "几点到几点 (jǐ diǎn dào jǐ diǎn)" is a pattern for asking "from what time to what time."
  * **Example 7:**
    * 我把从**图书馆**借的书弄丢了。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ bǎ cóng **túshūguǎn** jiè de shū nòng diū le.
    * English: I lost the book I borrowed from the library.
    * Analysis: This uses the "把 (bǎ)" construction to show disposal of an object—in this case, accidentally "disposing" of it by losing it. "弄丢了 (nòng diū le)" means "lost (something)."
  * **Example 8:**
    * 为了准备考试，他整天泡在**图书馆**。
    * Pinyin: Wèile zhǔnbèi kǎoshì, tā zhěng tiān pào zài **túshūguǎn**.
    * English: In order to prepare for the exam, he spends all day at the library.
    * Analysis: The verb "泡 (pào)" literally means "to soak" or "to steep," but here it's used colloquially to mean "to hang out" or "to spend a lot of time" in a place.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 这座城市的公共**图书馆**是免费向所有人开放的。
    * Pinyin: Zhè zuò chéngshì de gōnggòng **túshūguǎn** shì miǎnfèi xiàng suǒyǒu rén kāifàng de.
    * English: This city's public library is open to everyone for free.
    * Analysis: This sentence distinguishes a "公共图书馆 (gōnggòng túshūguǎn)," a public library, from a private or school library.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 我在**图书馆**的网站上预约了这本书。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ zài **túshūguǎn** de wǎngzhàn shàng yùyuē le zhè běn shū.
    * English: I reserved this book on the library's website.
    * Analysis: A modern, practical sentence showing how technology interacts with libraries. "网站 (wǎngzhàn)" is website, and "预约 (yùyuē)" is to reserve or make an appointment.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
The most common mistake for beginners is confusing **图书馆 (túshūguǎn)** with **书店 (shūdiàn)**.
  *   **图书馆 (túshūguǎn):** Library. You **borrow** (借 - jiè) and **return** (还 - huán) books here.
  *   **书店 (shūdiàn):** Bookstore. You **buy** (买 - mǎi) books here.
It's a critical distinction. Showing up at a library to buy a book, or a bookstore to borrow one, will lead to confusion.
**Incorrect Usage:**
`*` 我要去**图书馆**买一本新小说。 (Wǒ yào qù túshūguǎn mǎi yī běn xīn xiǎoshuō.)
`*` //(I'm going to the library to buy a new novel.)//
**Why it's wrong:** You cannot **buy (买)** books at a library.
**Correct Usage:**
`*` 我要去**书店**买一本新小说。 (Wǒ yào qù shūdiàn mǎi yī běn xīn xiǎoshuō.)
`*` //(I'm going to the bookstore to buy a new novel.)//
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[书店]] (shūdiàn) - Bookstore. The place to buy books. The commercial counterpart to a library.
  * [[借书]] (jiè shū) - To borrow a book. A key verb phrase associated with a **túshūguǎn**.
  * [[还书]] (huán shū) - To return a book. The action you must take after borrowing.
  * [[自习]] (zìxí) - To study by oneself; self-study. A very common activity for students in a Chinese **túshūguǎn**.
  * [[阅览室]] (yuèlǎnshì) - Reading room. A specific room within a library designated for quiet reading.
  * [[借书证]] (jièshūzhèng) - Library card. The card that grants you borrowing privileges.
  * [[博物馆]] (bówùguǎn) - Museum. Another public building with the "馆 (guǎn)" suffix, for displaying artifacts instead of books.
  * [[读者]] (dúzhě) - Reader; patron. The term for a person who reads or uses a library.