Chinese for Living Blog Category: Clothing

White bathrobe hanging in a modern hotel bathroom in China, illustrating how to say bathrobe in Chinese

How to say bathrobe in Chinese? 浴袍 yù páo

The first morning of my first hotel stay in China, I opened the wardrobe and found two white robes folded next to a pair of paper-thin slippers. That is when I learned how to say bathrobe in Chinese: 浴袍 (yù páo). It combines “bath” and “robe”, a robe for after your bath. You will meet […]

how to say wallet in Chinese

How to say wallet in Chinese? 钱包 qián bāo

Wondering how to say wallet in Chinese? The word is 钱包 (qián bāo), which literally means “money bag.” After twelve years in Tianjin, HSK5 certification, and a Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies, I can tell you this is one of the first words you’ll need when handling everyday transactions in China. When I first […]

Clothes hanging on balcony drying racks showing how to say laundry in Chinese

How to say laundry in Chinese? 洗衣服 xǐ yī fu

In China, most apartment buildings don’t have in-unit washing machines, and laundromats are a completely different experience than back home. So knowing how to say laundry in Chinese is pretty much essential from day one. The word is 洗衣服 (xǐ yī fu), which literally means “wash clothes.” I’ve spent twelve years in Tianjin, passed HSK5, […]

how to say slippers in chinese

How to say slippers in Chinese? 拖鞋 tuō xié

Need to know how to say slippers in Chinese? The word is 拖鞋 (tuō xié), which literally means “drag shoes.” It is the word you will use every single morning when you shuffle across your apartment floor, and it is the first thing you will hunt for when you step into a Chinese home. When […]

how to say towel in chinese

How to say towel in Chinese? 毛巾 máo jīn

Wondering how to say towel in Chinese? The word is 毛巾 (máo jīn). This is the standard term you’ll use whether you’re asking for a towel at a hotel, buying one at the store, or just talking about your morning routine. I learned this word the hard way during my first week in Tianjin. I […]

How to say factory in Chinese? 工厂 gōng chǎng

How to say factory in Chinese? 工厂 gōng chǎng

Learning Chinese vocabulary for business and manufacturing is pretty much a must if you work with Chinese companies or want to get serious about the language. The word “factory” pops up a lot when people talk about industry, economics, or trade with China. The word for how to say factory in Chinese is 工厂 (gōngchǎng), […]

How to say shoes in Chinese? 鞋子 xié zi

How to say shoes in Chinese? 鞋子 xié zi

Learning how to say shoes in Chinese can really help when you’re traveling, shopping, or just diving into the language. If you ever need to buy footwear in China or just want to beef up your vocab, having the right words on hand makes things so much easier. The most common way for saying “shoes” […]

How to say bikini in Chinese? 比基尼 bǐ jī ní

How to say bikini in Chinese? 比基尼 bǐ jī ní

Learning Chinese swimwear vocabulary can come in handy for shopping, travel, or just chatting. Lots of people wonder about the right translation when visiting Chinese-speaking places or talking with Chinese speakers about beachwear. The word for how to say bikini in Chinese is 比基尼泳装 (bǐ jī ní yǒng zhuāng). This phrase combines the phonetic translation […]

How to say tattoo in Chinese? 纹身 wén shēn

How to say tattoo in Chinese? 纹身 wén shēn

Lots of folks wonder how to talk about body art in another language. The most common way for how to say tattoo in Chinese is 纹身 (wén shēn). This term shows up everywhere, in conversation, online, and in tattoo shops across China. Just don’t get one on your butt! Well, that’s ultimately your decision. Knowing […]

How to say skirt in Chinese? 裙子 qún zi

How to say skirt in Chinese? 裙子 qún zi

Getting the hang of a new language can be exciting, especially when it comes to everyday words like clothing items. If you’re curious about how to say skirt in Chinese, you’re in luck. It’s a simple word that’s easy to remember and pronounce. And everyone who wears skirts rejoice! In Mandarin Chinese, the word for […]

How to say jeans in Chinese? 牛仔裤 niú zǎi kù

How to say jeans in Chinese? 牛仔裤 niú zǎi kù

Learning how to say jeans in Chinese can be helpful when shopping or discussing fashion in Mandarin. The Chinese language has several ways to express this common clothing item, depending on the context and level of formality. The standard Mandarin Chinese term for jeans is 牛仔裤 (niúzǎikù). This word combines 牛仔 (niúzǎi), meaning “cowboy,” with […]