As you pack your schoolbag each day, have you ever wondered how to describe all the essential items that find their place inside it? From textbook to eraser, let’s expand your Chinese vocabulary that makes your student’s schoolbag complete!

书包 Schoolbag

In Chinese, a backpack is known as “背包” (bēibāo). This term is quite straightforward, as “背” (bēi) means “to carry on one’s back,” and “包” (bāo) means “bag” or “sack.”

背包
bēibāo
backpack

The word 书包 (shūbāo) specifically refers to a bag for carrying books and studying materials.

书包
shūbāo
schoolbag

What’s in a Schoolbag?

Now let’s explore the contents of a 书包 (shūbāo) in Chinese:

01. Notebook 📔

笔记本
bǐjìběn
notebook (stationery)
(lit. “pen-to record-book”)

02. Book 📖

书
shū
book

03. Textbook 📒

课本
kèběn
textbook
(lit. “class-book”)

NOTE

The measure word for books is “本” (běn). For example, you can say “一本书” (yì běn shū) to mean “one book”, or “一本课本” (yì běn kèběn) for “one textbook”.

04. Tumbler Cup 🥤

Term 杯子 (bēizi) is a general word used to describe any type of cup, whether it’s for water, tea, coffee, or other beverages.

杯子
bēizi
cup

Tumbler cup, or “保温杯” (bǎowēn bēi) is great for keeping your drinks hot or cold when you’re on the move. Whether you’re on a school trip or simply looking to keep your morning coffee hot during class, a tumbler is the perfect solution to meet your needs.

05. Highlighter Pen 🖍

Highlighter pen are widely used for marking important information in textbooks, notes, and documents.

荧光笔
yíngguāngbǐ
highlighter (pen)
(lit. “fluorescent-pen”)

NOTE

The term “荧光” (yíngguāng) refers to fluorescence, which is the property of these pens that makes the ink stand out with bright, vibrant colors when applied to paper.

06. Pencil ✏️

For those who prefer using pencils:

铅笔
qiānbǐ
pencil
(lit. “lead-pen”)

NOTE

“铅” (qiān) means “lead” (referring to the pencil’s core), and “笔” (bǐ) means “pen”.

07. Pen 🖊

笔
bǐ
pen

There is a wide variety of different types of pens you can choose from:

钢笔 (gāngbǐ) • fountain pen
“钢” means “steel”, the material commonly used for the pen’s nib.

圆珠笔 (yuánzhūbǐ) • ballpoint pen
“圆珠” means “ball” referring to the small ball bearing at the tip that dispenses ink.

凝胶笔 (níngjībǐ) • gel pen
“凝胶” means “gel”.

毛笔 (máobǐ) • traditional Chinese calligraphy brush
“毛” refers to the brush’s bristles.

08. Eraser

橡皮
xiàngpí
eraser
(lit. “oak-skin”)

NOTE

The measure word for eraser is “块” (kuài). So, you would say “一块橡皮” (yì kuài xiàngpí) to mean “one eraser.”

09. Mobile Phone 📱

手机
shǒujī
mobile phone
(lit. “hand-machine”)

Take It Further

Now it’s your turn to share with us in comments!

你的书包里有什么呢？
Nǐ de shūbāo li yǒu shénme ne?
lit. “You-[de]-schoolbag-in-have-what-[ne]?
What’s inside your schoolbag?