Keywords: tiánxiě, 填写, how to fill out a form in Chinese, Chinese verb for filling in a blank, tianxie meaning, 填写表格, Chinese for form, learn Chinese verbs, HSK 4 vocabulary.
Summary: 填写 (tiánxiě) is the essential Chinese verb meaning “to fill in” or “to fill out.” It is used specifically for writing information into designated spaces on documents, forms, applications, and surveys. Whether you're at a bank, a government office, or applying for a job in China, understanding how to use 填写 is a practical and necessary skill for navigating modern Chinese bureaucracy and daily life.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): tiánxiě
Part of Speech: Verb
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: To write information into the blank spaces of a document or form.
In a Nutshell: Think of `填写` as “to fill by writing.” It's not just the general verb “to write” (`写`), but the specific action of putting information into a pre-defined structure like a form or application. It combines the idea of filling a space (`填`) with the act of writing (`写`). It is the go-to, standard verb for any situation involving forms.
Character Breakdown
填 (tián): This character means “to fill” or “to stuff.” The radical on the left is `土 (tǔ)`, meaning “earth” or “soil,” which hints at the original meaning of filling a hole with earth. The right side, `真 (zhēn)`, provides the phonetic component. So, `填` represents the concept of filling a void.
写 (xiě): This character simply means “to write.”
Together, `填写 (tiánxiě)` literally translates to “to fill by writing,” which perfectly captures its meaning of populating the empty fields of a document with written information.
Cultural Context and Significance
While “filling out a form” might seem like a mundane, universal task, the act of `填写` in China often carries a significant weight of formality and consequence. Official paperwork is a cornerstone of Chinese bureaucracy, governing everything from household registration (`户口 - hùkǒu`) and university entrance exams (`高考 - gāokǎo`) to business licenses and visa applications.
Comparison to Western Culture: In many Western countries, particularly the US, form-filling can sometimes be a casual affair, and minor errors are often easily corrected. In China, however, the information provided on official forms is often treated as a binding record. Precision and accuracy when you `填写` a document are paramount. A small mistake on an important application could lead to significant delays or even rejection. This cultural emphasis reflects a society that values procedure, official documentation, and meticulousness in formal matters. The act isn't just about providing data; it's about formally committing that data to an official record.
Practical Usage in Modern China
`填写` is a very common and practical verb. It is used in a neutral-to-formal tone.
Official and Bureaucratic Contexts
This is the most common use case. You `填写` any official document that requires your personal information.
Applying for a visa or passport.
Opening a bank account.
Registering at a hotel or for a new SIM card.
Filling out hospital intake forms or insurance claims.
Submitting a job application.
Everyday and Digital Forms
The term has seamlessly transitioned into the digital age.
Filling out an online registration form (`在线表格`).
Entering your shipping address (`地址`) on Taobao.
Completing an online survey (`调查问卷`).
Signing up for a new app or service.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
请您填写这张表格。
Pinyin: Qǐng nín tiánxiě zhè zhāng biǎogé.
English: Please fill out this form.
Analysis: This is the most classic and direct use of the term. `表格 (biǎogé)` is the standard word for “form.”
English: Filling in personal information online is both fast and convenient.
Analysis: This demonstrates its usage in a digital context. The object of `填写` here is “personal information” (`个人信息`).
Example 4:
我花了半个小时才把这份复杂的合同填写完。
Pinyin: Wǒ huāle bàn ge xiǎoshí cái bǎ zhè fèn fùzá de hétong tiánxiě wán.
English: It took me half an hour to finish filling out this complicated contract.
Analysis: The result complement `完 (wán)` is often used with `填写` to indicate the completion of the action. The `把 (bǎ)` structure is also very common.
English: After you have finished filling it out, please sign in the bottom right corner.
Analysis: `完毕 (wánbì)` is a more formal way of saying “to finish,” often used in written instructions. This sentence is typical of what you'd see on an official document.
English: Every student must fill out a health status survey.
Analysis: Shows the modal verb `必须 (bìxū)` - “must,” highlighting the mandatory nature of the action. `调查问卷 (diàochá wènjuàn)` is “survey” or “questionnaire.”
Example 8:
请确保你填写的所有信息都是准确的。
Pinyin: Qǐng quèbǎo nǐ tiánxiě de suǒyǒu xìnxī dōu shì zhǔnquè de.
English: Please ensure all the information you fill in is accurate.
Analysis: This emphasizes the cultural importance of accuracy mentioned earlier. The phrase `填写的信息` means “the information that is filled in.”
Example 9:
他还没有填写他的入境卡。
Pinyin: Tā hái méiyǒu tiánxiě tā de rùjìngkǎ.
English: He hasn't filled out his arrival card yet.
Analysis: A simple negative sentence using `还没有 (hái méiyǒu)`. `入境卡 (rùjìngkǎ)` is the arrival/entry card for customs.
`填 (tián)` can be used on its own, especially in spoken Chinese or when referring to a single blank. For example, a teacher might say `请把这个空填上 (Qǐng bǎ zhège kòng tián shàng)` meaning “Please fill in this blank.”
`填写` is slightly more formal and is the preferred term when talking about completing an entire form or document with multiple fields. It emphasizes the whole process of “filling and writing.” For a full application, `填写申请表` is much more common and appropriate than `填申请表`.
Related Terms and Concepts
表格 (biǎogé) - The most common object for `填写`. It means “form” or “table.”
申请表 (shēnqǐngbiǎo) - “Application form,” a specific type of `表格` that you `填写`.
填空 (tiánkòng) - “To fill in the blank(s).” A noun or verb, very common in tests and exercises. This is a very specific type of `填写`.
登记 (dēngjì) - “To register,” “to check in.” The process of registration often requires you to `填写` a registration form (`登记表`).
信息 (xìnxī) - “Information,” “data.” This is the content that you `填写` into a form.
资料 (zīliào) - “Materials,” “data.” Similar to `信息`, this refers to the required information for a form.
签名 (qiānmíng) - “To sign,” “signature.” This is often the final step after you `填写` a document.
写 (xiě) - “To write.” The general verb that is a component of `填写` but has a much broader meaning.