túbiǎo: 图表 - Chart, Graph, Diagram

• Keywords: 图表, tubiao, Chinese for chart, Chinese for graph, Chinese for diagram, how to say chart in Chinese, data visualization China, business presentation Chinese, 表格, a chart in Mandarin
• Summary: Learn how to say “chart” or “graph” in Chinese with the word 图表 (túbiǎo). This essential HSK 5 vocabulary is crucial for business presentations, academic reports, and data analysis in China. Our guide breaks down its meaning, character origins, and provides 10+ practical example sentences to help you master its use in any professional or educational context, from creating a pie chart (饼图) to analyzing a line graph (折线图).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): túbiǎo
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: 5
• Concise Definition: A visual representation of data, such as a chart, graph, or diagram.
• In a Nutshell: 图表 (túbiǎo) is the standard Chinese word for any kind of chart, graph, or diagram used to present information visually. Think of it as the general category that includes everything from a simple bar chart in a school project to a complex financial graph in a corporate meeting. It's a modern, practical term essential for anyone working with data in a Chinese-speaking environment.

• 图 (tú): This character means picture, diagram, or map. Its origin is a pictogram of a map or a blueprint. It provides the “visual” or “picture” element to the word.
• 表 (biǎo): This character means table, list, or form. It can also mean “surface” or “to express.” It contributes the idea of structured, organized information.

When combined, 图 (picture) + 表 (table/list) = 图表 (túbiǎo), literally a “picture-table.” This perfectly captures the essence of a chart or graph: a visual that presents organized, table-like data.

Unlike terms deeply rooted in ancient philosophy, 图表 (túbiǎo) is a modern, functional word whose significance lies in what it represents in contemporary China: a move towards data, objectivity, and global standards. In traditional Chinese business or social interactions, decisions could often be based on relationships (关系, guānxi), hierarchy, or intuition. The widespread adoption of 图表 in business and governance signifies a major cultural shift towards data-driven decision-making and transparency. Presenting a well-made 图表 is seen as professional, credible, and intelligent. It's a way of saying, “This isn't just my opinion; this is what the facts show.” Compared to Western culture, where data visualization is also standard, its rapid and ubiquitous adoption in China over the last few decades is particularly noteworthy. It mirrors the country's explosive economic growth and its desire to communicate with the world using a universal language of numbers and visuals. In this sense, mastering the use of 图表 is not just a language skill but also a way of participating in modern Chinese professional culture.

图表 is a neutral-to-formal term used constantly in professional and academic settings.

• In Business: It's essential vocabulary for meetings (会议), reports (报告), and presentations (演示). You'll frequently hear phrases like `制作图表 (zhìzuò túbiǎo - to make a chart)` and `分析图表 (fēnxī túbiǎo - to analyze a chart)`.
• In Education: From primary school onward, students learn to create and interpret various 图表 for subjects like math, science, and social studies. It's a fundamental skill for academic success.
• In News and Media: Chinese news outlets, especially online, rely heavily on infographics and charts to explain economic data, social trends, and public health statistics.

• Example 1:
  • 请看这个图表，它显示了我们上一季度的销售额。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng kàn zhège túbiǎo, tā xiǎnshìle wǒmen shàng yí gè jìdù de xiāoshòu'é.
  • English: Please look at this chart; it shows our sales figures for the last quarter.
  • Analysis: A classic and polite phrase for starting a business presentation. `请看 (qǐng kàn)` is the formal way to direct someone's attention.
• Example 2:
  • 老师要求我们用图表来展示我们的研究结果。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī yāoqiú wǒmen yòng túbiǎo lái zhǎnshì wǒmen de yánjiū jiéguǒ.
  • English: The teacher asked us to use a chart to present our research findings.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates usage in an academic context. The `用…来… (yòng…lái…)` structure is very common and means “to use…to…”.
• Example 3:
  • 这个图表有点复杂，你能给我解释一下吗？
  • Pinyin: Zhège túbiǎo yǒudiǎn fùzá, nǐ néng gěi wǒ jiěshì yíxià ma?
  • English: This diagram is a bit complicated. Can you explain it to me?
  • Analysis: A practical question for clarification. `有点 (yǒudiǎn)` means “a bit” and softens the statement that something is “complicated” (`复杂 fùzá`).
• Example 4:
  • 从图表上看，公司的利润正在稳步增长。
  • Pinyin: Cóng túbiǎo shàng kàn, gōngsī de lìrùn zhèngzài wěnbù zēngzhǎng.
  • English: Judging from the chart, the company's profits are growing steadily.
  • Analysis: `从…上看 (cóng…shàng kàn)` is a useful phrase meaning “based on…” or “looking at it from the perspective of…”.
• Example 5:
  • 你能帮我把这些数据做成一个清晰的图表吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng bāng wǒ bǎ zhèxiē shùjù zuò chéng yí gè qīngxī de túbiǎo ma?
  • English: Can you help me make this data into a clear chart?
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the `把 (bǎ)` structure to show what is happening to the data (`数据 shùjù`). `做成 (zuò chéng)` means “to make into.”
• Example 6:
  • 这份报告里缺少了关键的图表支持。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn bàogào lǐ quēshǎole guānjiàn de túbiǎo zhīchí.
  • English: This report is missing key chart support.
  • Analysis: Shows 图表 being used as part of a compound idea, `图表支持 (túbiǎo zhīchí)`, or “chart support.” `缺少 (quēshǎo)` means “to lack.”
• Example 7:
  • 我们需要不同类型的图表来展示不同维度的数据。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào bùtóng lèixíng de túbiǎo lái zhǎnshì bùtóng wéidù de shùjù.
  • English: We need different types of charts to show data from different dimensions.
  • Analysis: Introduces related vocabulary often used with 图表, such as `类型 (lèixíng - type)` and `维度 (wéidù - dimension)`.
• Example 8:
  • 这个饼状图表清楚地说明了市场份额的分配。
  • Pinyin: Zhège bǐng zhuàng túbiǎo qīngchǔ de shuōmíngle shìchǎng fèn'é de fēnpèi.
  • English: This pie chart clearly illustrates the distribution of market share.
  • Analysis: Shows how to specify a type of chart. While `饼图 (bǐngtú)` is more common for “pie chart,” `饼状图表 (bǐng zhuàng túbiǎo)` is also perfectly correct and clear.
• Example 9:
  • 数据可视化不仅仅是制作漂亮的图表。
  • Pinyin: Shùjù kěshìhuà bùjǐnjǐn shì zhìzuò piàoliang de túbiǎo.
  • English: Data visualization is not just about making pretty charts.
  • Analysis: This sentence connects 图表 to the broader, modern concept of `数据可视化 (shùjù kěshìhuà - data visualization)`.
• Example 10:
  • 图表的纵轴代表温度，横轴代表时间。
  • Pinyin: Túbiǎo de zòngzhóu dàibiǎo wēndù, héngzhóu dàibiǎo shíjiān.
  • English: The chart's vertical axis represents temperature, and the horizontal axis represents time.
  • Analysis: Teaches essential vocabulary for describing a chart's components: `纵轴 (zòngzhóu - vertical axis)` and `横轴 (héngzhóu - horizontal axis)`.

The most common point of confusion for learners is distinguishing 图表 (túbiǎo) from 表格 (biǎogé).

• 图表 (túbiǎo) = Chart/Graph: This is a visual representation of data. Think of bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, and flowcharts. You `画 (huà - draw)` or `做 (zuò - make)` a 图表.
• 表格 (biǎogé) = Table/Form: This is a grid of rows and columns used to organize text and numbers. Think of a spreadsheet or a schedule. You `做 (zuò - make)` or `填 (tián - fill out)` a 表格.

Common Mistake:

• Incorrect: 我需要你画一个表格来展示销售数据。 (Wǒ xūyào nǐ huà yí gè biǎogé…)
• Why it's wrong: You don't “draw” (`画 huà`) a table (`表格 biǎogé`). You draw a visual chart.
• Correct (if you mean a chart): 我需要你画一个图表来展示销售数据。 (Wǒ xūyào nǐ huà yí gè túbiǎo…)
• Correct (if you mean a table): 我需要你做一个表格来展示销售数据。 (Wǒ xūyào nǐ zuò yí gè biǎogé…)

• 表格 (biǎogé) - Table, form. The most important distinction; a `表格` is a grid of data, while a `图表` is a visual representation of it.
• 数据 (shùjù) - Data. The raw information that is presented within a `图表`.
• 分析 (fēnxī) - To analyze; analysis. The primary action one performs when looking at a `图表`.
• 报告 (bàogào) - Report. A formal document where `图表` are used to support claims and present findings.
• 统计 (tǒngjì) - Statistics; to gather statistics. `图表` are the main tools for displaying statistical information.
• 趋势 (qūshì) - Trend; tendency. What you often look for when analyzing a line graph, for example.
• 折线图 (zhéxiàntú) - Line graph. A specific type of `图表`.
• 柱状图 (zhùzhuàngtú) - Bar chart / Column chart. A specific type of `图表`.
• 饼图 (bǐngtú) - Pie chart. A specific type of `图表`.
• 显示 (xiǎnshì) - To show; to display. A verb frequently used to describe what a `图表` does.