shèjì tú: 设计图 - Blueprint, Design Drawing, Plan

• Keywords: sheji tu, 设计图, Chinese for blueprint, design drawing, architectural plan, engineering diagram, technical drawing, design schematic, floor plan in Chinese, Chinese for designer.
• Summary: “设计图 (shèjì tú)” is a fundamental Chinese noun that translates to “blueprint,” “design drawing,” or “schematic.” It's a crucial term in any field involving creation and construction, from architecture and engineering to fashion and digital design. This page will break down what a 设计图 is, how to use it in conversation, and how it represents the meticulous planning behind modern China's development.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shèjì tú
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: Composed of characters from HSK 2 (`图`) and HSK 4 (`设计`). The full term is essential for intermediate learners, especially in professional contexts.
• Concise Definition: A blueprint, design drawing, schematic, or technical plan used for construction or manufacturing.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 设计图 as the bridge between an idea and a physical reality. It’s not just an artistic sketch; it's a detailed, technical drawing with precise measurements and specifications. Whether you're building a skyscraper, coding an app interface, or manufacturing a car engine, the 设计图 is the master plan everyone follows.

• 设 (shè): To set up, to establish, to arrange, or to design. It implies creating a structure or system.
• 计 (jì): To plan, to calculate, or to strategize. It involves thinking ahead and considering details.
• 图 (tú): A picture, diagram, map, or drawing.

The characters combine perfectly. 设计 (shèjì) means “to design” (literally “to set up a plan”). Adding 图 (tú), “drawing,” creates the compound word 设计图 (shèjì tú), which literally means a “design drawing.”

While 设计图 is a modern, technical term, its prevalence speaks volumes about contemporary Chinese culture. In a country that has undergone one of the most rapid and massive building and manufacturing booms in human history, the 设计图 is a symbol of precision, ambition, and execution. It represents the meticulous planning behind the high-speed rail networks, gleaming skylines, and advanced technology that define modern China. A useful comparison is with the English word “blueprint.” While “blueprint” is a perfect translation, its use in English is sometimes more metaphorical (“the blueprint for success”). In Chinese, 设计图 is used far more frequently and broadly in its literal sense. It can refer to an architectural blueprint, but just as commonly refers to an engineering schematic, a product design, a UI mock-up for an app, or even a fashion design sketch. It underscores a practical, hands-on mindset focused on building and creating tangible things. It's less about abstract philosophy and more about the concrete plans that fuel progress.

设计图 is a standard term in professional and everyday contexts related to making anything. Its meaning is consistent and its connotation is neutral and technical.

• Architecture and Construction: This is the most common context. You'll hear it constantly on construction sites and in architectural firms. Example: `建筑设计图` (jiànzhù shèjì tú) - architectural design drawing.
• Engineering and Manufacturing: Used for any product, from a simple gadget to complex machinery. Example: `产品设计图` (chǎnpǐn shèjì tú) - product design drawing.
• Tech and Digital Design: In the tech world, it refers to wireframes, mock-ups, and UI/UX schematics. Example: `UI设计图` (UI shèjì tú) - UI design drawing/mock-up.
• Fashion and Interior Design: Refers to sketches and plans for clothing or spaces. Example: `室内设计图` (shìnèi shèjì tú) - interior design plan.

• Example 1:
  • 这张设计图是谁画的？
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhāng shèjì tú shì shéi huà de?
  • English: Who drew this blueprint?
  • Analysis: A simple, common question. Note the measure word `张 (zhāng)` is used for flat objects like paper or drawings.
• Example 2:
  • 工人们必须严格按照设计图施工。
  • Pinyin: Gōngrénmen bìxū yángé ànzhào shèjì tú shīgōng.
  • English: The workers must carry out the construction strictly according to the design drawings.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the authoritative nature of a `设计图`. It is the binding plan. `施工 (shīgōng)` means “to construct.”
• Example 3:
  • 你能把最新的设计图发给我吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng bǎ zuìxīn de shèjì tú fā gěi wǒ ma?
  • English: Can you send me the latest version of the design plan?
  • Analysis: A very practical sentence for any work environment. The `把 (bǎ)` structure is used to emphasize the action's effect on the object (`设计图`).
• Example 4:
  • 老板还没有批准这份设计图。
  • Pinyin: Lǎobǎn hái méiyǒu pīzhǔn zhè fèn shèjì tú.
  • English: The boss hasn't approved this design drawing yet.
  • Analysis: `批准 (pīzhǔn)` means “to approve” or “to ratify,” a common verb used with `设计图` in a professional context. The measure word `份 (fèn)` is also often used for documents or plans.
• Example 5:
  • 我认为这个设计图有一个严重的缺陷。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ rènwéi zhège shèjì tú yǒu yíge yánzhòng de quēxiàn.
  • English: I think this design plan has a serious flaw.
  • Analysis: `缺陷 (quēxiàn)` means “flaw” or “defect.” This sentence is crucial for providing feedback or raising concerns.
• Example 6:
  • 这是我们网站新主页的设计图。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì wǒmen wǎngzhàn xīn zhǔyè de shèjì tú.
  • English: This is the design mock-up for our website's new homepage.
  • Analysis: Shows the term's use in the digital world. `主页 (zhǔyè)` means “homepage.”
• Example 7:
  • 工程师正在根据设计图检查零件。
  • Pinyin: Gōngchéngshī zhèngzài gēnjù shèjì tú jiǎnchá língjiàn.
  • English: The engineer is checking the parts against the design diagram.
  • Analysis: `根据 (gēnjù)` means “according to” or “based on,” similar to `按照 (ànzhào)`. `零件 (língjiàn)` means “parts” or “components.”
• Example 8:
  • 这份设计图的细节还不够清楚。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn shèjì tú de xìjié hái búgòu qīngchǔ.
  • English: The details of this design drawing are not yet clear enough.
  • Analysis: `细节 (xìjié)` means “details.” A `设计图` is expected to have clear and precise details.
• Example 9:
  • 在开始生产之前，我们需要最终的设计图。
  • Pinyin: Zài kāishǐ shēngchǎn zhīqián, wǒmen xūyào zuìzhōng de shèjì tú.
  • English: Before starting production, we need the final design plan.
  • Analysis: This illustrates the sequential process: final `设计图` comes before `生产 (shēngchǎn)`, “production.”
• Example 10:
  • 没有设计图，我很难向你解释它的工作原理。
  • Pinyin: Méiyǒu shèjì tú, wǒ hěn nán xiàng nǐ jiěshì tā de gōngzuò yuánlǐ.
  • English: Without a diagram, it's very difficult for me to explain its working principle to you.
  • Analysis: This shows how `设计图` can also refer to a diagram that explains a concept, not just builds an object. `工作原理 (gōngzuò yuánlǐ)` is “working principle.”

A common mistake for beginners is to confuse 设计图 with other types of drawings.

• `设计图 (shèjì tú)` vs. `画 (huà)`
  • 设计图 is a technical plan for building or making something.
  • 画 (huà) is a general term for a drawing or painting, usually artistic or non-technical.
  • Incorrect: `我们按照这幅画来盖房子。` (Wǒmen ànzhào zhè fú huà lái gài fángzi.) - “We will build the house according to this painting.” (This sounds absurd, as if using a Picasso to build a house).
  • Correct: `我们按照这张设计图来盖房子。` (Wǒmen ànzhào zhè zhāng shèjì tú lái gài fángzi.) - “We will build the house according to this blueprint.”
• `设计图 (shèjì tú)` vs. `草图 (cǎotú)`
  • 设计图 is the final, detailed, and official plan.
  • 草图 (cǎotú) is a “rough sketch” or “draft.” It's the initial idea, not the final instruction.
  • Context: You might say, `我先画一个草图，然后再把它变成最终的设计图。` (Wǒ xiān huà yíge cǎotú, ránhòu zài bǎ tā biànchéng zuìzhōng de shèjì tú.) - “I'll draw a rough sketch first, and then turn it into the final design plan.”

• 设计 (shèjì) - The root word, meaning the verb “to design” or the noun “a design.” 设计图 is the physical/digital output of a 设计.
• 图纸 (túzhǐ) - A very close synonym, meaning “drawing” or “blueprint.” Literally “drawing paper.” Often used interchangeably with 设计图, especially when referring to physical paper copies.
• 蓝图 (lántú) - The literal word for “blueprint” (from the original blue-colored architectural prints). While it can mean a literal 设计图, it's more often used metaphorically for a grand plan or vision (e.g., a company's five-year 蓝图).
• 草图 (cǎotú) - A “rough sketch” or “draft.” This is the preliminary stage before a final, detailed 设计图 is made.
• 施工图 (shīgōngtú) - A “construction drawing.” This is a highly specific and detailed type of 设计图 used by construction workers on-site.
• 平面图 (píngmiàntú) - A “floor plan” or “layout plan.” A specific type of 设计图 that shows a top-down view of a space.
• 设计师 (shèjìshī) - The “designer.” This is the person who creates the 设计图.
• 方案 (fāng'àn) - A “plan,” “scheme,” or “proposal.” This term refers more to the overall strategy, ideas, and methods, whereas 设计图 is the specific visual and technical document.