zhǎnpǐn: 展品 - Exhibit, Display Item

• Keywords: 展品, zhanpin, Chinese for exhibit, museum exhibit in Chinese, items on display, what is zhanpin, art exhibit, trade show exhibits, Chinese museum vocabulary, 展览, 作品.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 展品 (zhǎnpǐn), which means “exhibit” or “item on display.” This page breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical use in modern China, from museums and art galleries to trade shows. Discover how to use 展品 (zhǎnpǐn) correctly with numerous example sentences and understand the key differences between it and related terms like `展览 (zhǎnlǎn)` (exhibition) and `作品 (zuòpǐn)` (artwork).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhǎn pǐn
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: An item or object displayed for public viewing, such as in a museum, gallery, or exhibition.
• In a Nutshell: 展品 (zhǎnpǐn) is the physical “thing” you go to see at a show. It's a straightforward and logical word combining “display” (展) and “item” (品). Whether it's a priceless ancient vase, a modern sculpture, or a new smartphone at a tech expo, if it's set out for people to look at, it's a 展品 (zhǎnpǐn).

• 展 (zhǎn): This character means to unfold, to open up, or to display. It conveys the action of spreading something out for all to see, like unrolling a scroll or setting up a display.
• 品 (pǐn): This character is composed of three “mouths” (口). It can mean an item, a product, goods, or quality. The visual idea is that multiple people (mouths) discuss something, establishing its identity as a specific “thing” or assessing its quality.
• The two characters combine literally to mean “display item,” which is precisely what an exhibit is.

While 展品 (zhǎnpǐn) itself is a neutral, functional term, its cultural significance comes from what is chosen to be displayed. In modern China, there has been a massive boom in the construction of museums and the hosting of international expos. Exhibitions, and therefore the 展品 (zhǎnpǐn) within them, often serve two major purposes: 1. Celebrating History: Showcasing 文物 (wénwù), or cultural relics, as 展品 (zhǎnpǐn) reinforces a sense of national pride and a long, continuous history. These items are often framed not just as historical artifacts but as 国宝 (guóbǎo), or “national treasures.” 2. Projecting the Future: At trade shows and technology expos, the 展品 (zhǎnpǐn) are carefully selected to highlight China's innovation and technological advancement, projecting an image of a modern, forward-looking nation. This contrasts slightly with some Western museum philosophies that may focus more on anthropological comparison or critical art theory. In China, the narrative presented through the choice of 展品 (zhǎnpǐn) is often more directly tied to national identity and achievement.

展品 (zhǎnpǐn) is a common, standard term used in various public settings.

• In Museums and Galleries: This is the most frequent context. You will see it on signs, in audio guides, and hear it in discussions about the items on display. A very common sign is “请勿触摸展品” (Qǐng wù chùmō zhǎnpǐn) - “Please do not touch the exhibits.”
• At Trade Shows and Expos (展销会/博览会): Companies display their new products as 展品 (zhǎnpǐn) to attract clients and customers. In this context, a 展品 (zhǎnpǐn) could be a car, a robot, a piece of software, or a new type of textile.
• In Conversation: People use it to talk about what they saw. “The museum's most famous 展品 (zhǎnpǐn) is a bronze sword.” It is a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal conversations.

• Example 1:
  • 博物馆里最重要的展品是一件古代的青铜器。
  • Pinyin: Bówùguǎn lǐ zuì zhòngyào de zhǎnpǐn shì yī jiàn gǔdài de qīngtóngqì.
  • English: The most important exhibit in the museum is an ancient bronze vessel.
  • Analysis: A classic example of using 展品 in a museum context. The measure word for this type of item is `件 (jiàn)`.
• Example 2:
  • 请勿触摸展品，以免造成损坏。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng wù chùmō zhǎnpǐn, yǐmiǎn zàochéng sǔnhuài.
  • English: Please do not touch the exhibits to avoid causing damage.
  • Analysis: This is a phrase you will commonly see on signs in any exhibition hall. `请勿 (qǐng wù)` is a formal way to say “please don't.”
• Example 3:
  • 这次画展的展品都是他最近的创作。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì huàzhǎn de zhǎnpǐn dōu shì tā zuìjìn de chuàngzuò.
  • English: The exhibits at this art show are all his recent creations.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows that artworks (`创作 chuàngzuò` or `作品 zuòpǐn`) become 展品 once they are put on display.
• Example 4:
  • 导游正在向游客们介绍每一件展品的历史。
  • Pinyin: Dǎoyóu zhèngzài xiàng yóukèmen jièshào měi yī jiàn zhǎnpǐn de lìshǐ.
  • English: The tour guide is introducing the history of each exhibit to the tourists.
  • Analysis: `向 (xiàng)` is used here to indicate the direction of the action “to introduce.”
• Example 5:
  • 我们可以给展品拍照吗？
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen kěyǐ gěi zhǎnpǐn pāizhào ma?
  • English: Are we allowed to take photos of the exhibits?
  • Analysis: A very practical question for any tourist. `给…拍照 (gěi…pāizhào)` is a common structure for “to take a photo of something.”
• Example 6:
  • 由于安保原因，最有价值的展品被放在了玻璃柜里。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú ānbǎo yuányīn, zuì yǒu jiàzhí de zhǎnpǐn bèi fàng zài le bōlí guì lǐ.
  • English: For security reasons, the most valuable exhibit was placed inside a glass case.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the passive voice with `被 (bèi)`. The exhibit “was placed” by someone.
• Example 7:
  • 在这次科技博览会上，我们公司的展品吸引了很多关注。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhè cì kējì bólǎnhuì shàng, wǒmen gōngsī de zhǎnpǐn xīyǐnle hěnduō guānzhù.
  • English: At this tech expo, our company's exhibits attracted a lot of attention.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the use of 展品 in a commercial or business context, like a trade show (`博览会 bólǎnhuì`).
• Example 8:
  • 这批展品将会在下个月运到上海展出。
  • Pinyin: Zhè pī zhǎnpǐn jiāng huì zài xià ge yuè yùn dào Shànghǎi zhǎnchū.
  • English: This batch of exhibits will be transported to Shanghai for display next month.
  • Analysis: `批 (pī)` is a measure word for a “batch” or “group” of items. `将 (jiāng)` is a formal marker for the future tense, similar to “will.”
• Example 9:
  • 每一件展品都配有详细的文字说明。
  • Pinyin: Měi yī jiàn zhǎnpǐn dōu pèi yǒu xiángxì de wénzì shuōmíng.
  • English: Every exhibit is equipped with a detailed written description.
  • Analysis: `配有 (pèi yǒu)` means “is equipped with” or “comes with.”
• Example 10:
  • 这个展品互动性很强，你可以亲自操作一下。
  • Pinyin: Zhège zhǎnpǐn hùdòngxìng hěn qiáng, nǐ kěyǐ qīnzì cāozuò yīxià.
  • English: This exhibit is very interactive; you can operate it yourself.
  • Analysis: Shows that a 展品 is not always static. Interactive displays are increasingly common. `互动性 (hùdòngxìng)` means “interactivity.”

The most common mistakes for learners involve confusing 展品 (zhǎnpǐn) with other related, but distinct, nouns.

• 展品 (zhǎnpǐn) vs. 展览 (zhǎnlǎn):
  • 展品 (zhǎnpǐn): The item. (Noun) It's the physical object you see.
  • 展览 (zhǎnlǎn): The event or show. (Noun) It's the entire exhibition.
  • Correct: 我去看了一个展览 (Wǒ qù kànle yīgè zhǎnlǎn.) - “I went to see an exhibition.”
  • Correct: 我很喜欢那个展览里的展品 (Wǒ hěn xǐhuān nàge zhǎnlǎn lǐ de zhǎnpǐn.) - “I really liked the exhibits in that exhibition.”
  • Incorrect: 我去看了一个展品。 (This would mean “I went to see one exhibit,” which is possible but usually not what you mean.)
• 展品 (zhǎnpǐn) vs. 作品 (zuòpǐn):
  • 展品 (zhǎnpǐn): Any item on display. It can be a fossil, a machine, or an artwork.
  • 作品 (zuòpǐn): A “work,” typically a work of art, literature, or music. It refers to the creation itself, regardless of whether it's on display.
  • An artist's 作品 (zuòpǐn) becomes a 展品 (zhǎnpǐn) when it is put in a gallery. A dinosaur skeleton is a 展品 (zhǎnpǐn), but it is not a 作品 (zuòpǐn) because it wasn't “created” by an author or artist.
  • Example: 这个艺术家的作品很棒，我希望能在画廊里看到它们成为展品。(Zhège yìshùjiā de zuòpǐn hěn bàng, wǒ xīwàng néng zài huàláng lǐ kàn dào tāmen chéngwéi zhǎnpǐn.) - “This artist's works are great; I hope I can see them become exhibits in a gallery.”

• 展览 (zhǎnlǎn) - The exhibition, the show, the event where you see 展品.
• 博物馆 (bówùguǎn) - Museum; a primary venue for historical or scientific 展品.
• 艺术馆 (yìshùguǎn) - Art gallery; a primary venue for artistic 展品.
• 作品 (zuòpǐn) - A work of art/literature. A specific type of item that can become a 展品.
• 文物 (wénwù) - Cultural relic or artifact. A very common and important type of 展品 in China.
• 展出 (zhǎnchū) - (Verb) To put on display, to exhibit. This is the action of making something a 展品.
• 陈列 (chénliè) - (Verb) To display, arrange. Often used for how 展品 are arranged in a space.
• 展台 (zhǎntái) - The display stand, booth, or platform where 展品 are placed.
• 国宝 (guóbǎo) - National treasure. Refers to the most priceless and significant cultural 展品 a country possesses.