chájī: 茶几 - Coffee Table, Tea Table

Keywords: chaji, chaji meaning, 茶几, Chinese for coffee table, tea table in Chinese, Chinese furniture, what is a chaji, gongfu cha table, Chinese living room.

Summary: 茶几 (chájī) is the Chinese word for a coffee table or tea table. It's a central piece of furniture in any Chinese living room (客厅), serving as a focal point for family gatherings and hosting guests. While its function is identical to a Western coffee table, its name, literally “tea table,” reflects the deep-rooted significance of tea culture in China. This entry explores the meaning, cultural context, and practical use of the essential household item, 茶几.

Pinyin (with tone marks): chájī

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 3

Concise Definition: A low table, typically placed in front of a sofa, used for serving drinks and snacks or for placing items like remote controls and magazines.

In a Nutshell: Think of a “coffee table,” but with a name that points directly to China's historic love for tea. A 茶几 is the functional and social center of a living room. It's where you place teacups for guests, a plate of fruit for your family, or just your phone while you relax on the sofa. It's a simple, everyday word for a piece of furniture that facilitates hospitality and togetherness.

茶 (chá): This character means “tea.” It's composed of the grass radical (艹) on top, suggesting a plant, over a character that depicts a person (人) under a tree or plant (木). This paints a vivid picture of harvesting tea leaves.

几 (jī): This is a simple pictograph of a small, low table or stool. It's one of the simplest characters representing a piece of furniture.

When combined, 茶几 (chájī) literally means “tea table.” This name directly reflects the object's primary traditional purpose: serving tea to family and guests.

In Chinese culture, the living room (客厅, kètīng) is a semi-public space for receiving guests and demonstrating hospitality. The 茶几 stands at the heart of this space, acting as a stage for social interaction. Placing snacks, fruits, and most importantly, a pot of hot tea on the 茶几 for visitors is a fundamental gesture of welcome and respect.

Comparison to Western “Coffee Table”: The function of a 茶几 is identical to a Western “coffee table.” The key difference is cultural-linguistic. The Western name points to a culture where coffee became the dominant social beverage. The Chinese name, 茶几, points to a civilization where tea has been the cornerstone of hospitality and social ritual for thousands of years. Even in modern homes where coffee is also consumed, the traditional name persists, acting as a small but constant reminder of China's rich tea heritage (茶文化, chá wénhuà). While some modern tea ceremonies (功夫茶, gōngfu chá) use specialized tables with drainage (茶盘, chápán), the everyday 茶几 is the modern descendant of the humble table that has always facilitated this social bonding over tea.

In business or formal reception areas, a 茶几 is essential. When a client or guest arrives, they are typically seated on a sofa and immediately offered a cup of tea, which is placed on the 茶几 in front of them. This act establishes a polite and welcoming atmosphere before business discussions begin. The term is neutral in connotation and is used in all registers, from casual conversation to furniture store catalogs.

Not Just for Tea: Despite its name, do not assume a 茶几 is used exclusively for tea. It is the perfect translation for “coffee table” in every functional sense. It's used for coffee, snacks, magazines, and everything else a coffee table is used for in the West. The nuance is in the cultural origin of the name, not in its modern-day limitation.

客厅 (kètīng) - The living room; the room where a 茶几 is almost always located.

沙发 (shāfā) - Sofa; the piece of furniture that a 茶几 is paired with.

桌子 (zhuōzi) - The general term for “table” or “desk.” 茶几 is a type of 桌子.

餐桌 (cānzhuō) - Dining table; a table specifically for meals, which is distinct from a 茶几.

家具 (jiājù) - Furniture; the overarching category that 茶几 belongs to.

茶杯 (chábēi) - Teacup; an object commonly found on a 茶几.

茶壶 (cháhú) - Teapot; often used with teacups on a 茶几.

功夫茶 (gōngfu chá) - The traditional Chinese tea ceremony, the cultural practice that gives the 茶几 its name and spirit.

茶盘 (chápán) - A “tea tray,” often with a water reservoir, used specifically for 功夫茶. It can be placed on a 茶几 or be part of a larger, dedicated tea station.

遥控器 (yáokòngqì) - Remote control; arguably the most common item found on a modern 茶几.