túshūguǎn: 图书馆 - Library

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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 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.

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.)

• 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.