Wondering how to say chair in Chinese? The word is 椅子 (yǐ zi). This is one of the most basic and essential furniture words you’ll need in everyday Chinese conversations.
I remember the first time I tried to buy furniture in Tianjin. I walked into a store and wanted to ask about chairs, but I only knew the word for table (桌子). The shopkeeper and I went back and forth until I finally learned 椅子. It’s a simple word, but knowing it makes a huge difference when you’re setting up a home or office in China.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- The Chinese word for chair is 椅子 (yǐ zi)
- It’s an HSK 1-2 level vocabulary word – very basic
- The measure word is 把 (bǎ) for chairs
- 椅子 breaks down to 椅 (chair) + 子 (noun suffix)
- Use this word for furniture shopping, restaurants, office discussions, and home conversations
Pronunciation Breakdown
椅子 (yǐ zi) has two syllables. For more pronunciation guidance, check the Cambridge Dictionary entry for chair:
- 椅 (yǐ) – third tone (falling-rising), pronounced like “yi” with a dip in the middle
- 子 (zi) – neutral tone (no tone), short and light, like “zuh”
The neutral tone on 子 is important. Don’t give it a full tone – just let it trail off lightly. This is true for many words ending in 子, like 桌子 (table).
The Measure Word for Chair
For chairs, you use the measure word 把 (bǎ). You can learn more about this character at MDBG Chinese Dictionary. This measure word is also used for objects with handles or things you can grasp, like umbrellas (伞), knives (刀), and keys (钥匙).
Examples:
- 一把椅子 (yì bǎ yǐ zi) – one chair
- 两把椅子 (liǎng bǎ yǐ zi) – two chairs
- 这几把椅子 (zhè jǐ bǎ yǐ zi) – these few chairs
Types of Chairs in Chinese
Office Chair (办公椅)
办公椅 (bàn gōng yǐ) means “office chair.” The 办公 part means “office work,” so it’s literally “office-work chair.”
When buying office furniture or setting up a workspace, you’ll use this term frequently. Most office supply stores in China organize their furniture sections this way. If you’re working in an office, you’ll use this word daily.
Dining Chair (餐椅)
餐椅 (cān yǐ) specifically refers to dining chairs. The 餐 character means “meal” or “dining.”
This is useful when you’re shopping for dining room furniture or eating at a restaurant. The 餐 character means “meal” or “dining.” You might see dining sets advertised as “餐桌 + 餐椅” (dining table + dining chairs) at furniture stores or when furnishing your kitchen.
Armchair (扶手椅)
扶手椅 (fú shǒu yǐ) means “armchair.” It breaks down to 扶手 (armrest/handrail) + 椅 (chair).
This is the comfortable chair you’d find in a living room. When describing what you want, saying 扶手椅 helps distinguish it from a basic dining chair.
Rocking Chair (摇椅)
摇椅 (yáo yǐ) is a rocking chair. The 摇 means “to rock” or “to sway.”
You might not need this word often, but it’s useful to know if you’re describing furniture to someone or shopping for a specific style.
Related Furniture Vocabulary
Here are other furniture words you’ll need when discussing chairs:
- 桌子 (zhuō zi) – table
- 床 (chuáng) – bed
- 座位 (zuò wèi) – seat
Practical Phrases
Asking About Chairs
这里有椅子吗?
Zhè lǐ yǒu yǐ zi ma?
“Are there chairs here?”
这把椅子有人吗?
Zhè bǎ yǐ zi yǒu rén ma?
“Is this chair taken?”
我可以坐这把椅子吗?
Wǒ kě yǐ zuò zhè bǎ yǐ zi ma?
“Can I sit in this chair?”
Buying Chairs
这把椅子多少钱?
Zhè bǎ yǐ zi duō shǎo qián?
“How much is this chair?”
我想买四把椅子。
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi sì bǎ yǐ zi.
“I want to buy four chairs.”
有舒服一点的椅子吗?
Yǒu shū fu yì diǎn de yǐ zi ma?
“Do you have more comfortable chairs?”
Describing Chairs
这把椅子很舒服。
Zhè bǎ yǐ zi hěn shū fu.
“This chair is very comfortable.”
这把椅子太高了。
Zhè bǎ yǐ zi tài gāo le.
“This chair is too tall.”
这把椅子是木头的。
Zhè bǎ yǐ zi shì mù tou de.
“This chair is made of wood.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Giving 子 a full tone
Don’t pronounce 子 with a third tone. It’s neutral. Say “yǐ-zi” not “yǐ-zǐ.”
2. Using the wrong measure word
Don’t use 个 (gè) for chairs. Use 把 (bǎ). Say “一把椅子” not “一个椅子.”
3. Confusing 椅子 with 桌子
椅子 is chair. 桌子 is table. Don’t mix them up when shopping for furniture.
Related Vocabulary
Here are some other Chinese words you might find useful:
- How to say wifi in Chinese? 无线网络 wú xiàn wǎng luò
- How to say slippers in Chinese? 拖鞋 tuō xié
- How to say garbage in Chinese? 垃圾 lā jī
- How to say wallet in Chinese? 钱包 qián bāo
- How to say avocado in Chinese? 牛油果 niú yóu guǒ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
Is 椅子 the same in Taiwan and mainland China?
Yes, 椅子 is used identically in Taiwan, mainland China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. It’s standard across all Chinese-speaking regions.
Can I just say 椅 without 子?
No, 椅 alone is rarely used. The 子 suffix is part of the standard word. Always say 椅子 for chair.
What’s the difference between 椅子 and 凳子?
椅子 is a chair with a backrest. 凳子 (dèng zi) is a stool without a back. If it has a back, use 椅子.
How do I say “Please have a seat” in Chinese?
Say “请坐” (Qǐng zuò) for “Please sit” or “请坐这把椅子” (Qǐng zuò zhè bǎ yǐ zi) for “Please sit in this chair.”
Is 椅子 formal or informal?
椅子 is neutral. You can use it in both formal and informal situations. There’s no more formal or casual version – this is the standard word everyone uses.
Advanced Ways for How to Say Chair in Chinese Sentences
-
Chinese: 请把椅子搬到桌子旁边。
Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ yǐ zi bān dào zhuō zi páng biān.
English: Please move the chair next to the table. -
Chinese: 厨房和客厅都有椅子。
Pinyin: Chú fáng hé kè tīng dōu yǒu yǐ zi.
English: The kitchen and living room both have chairs. -
Chinese: 这把椅子比那把椅子舒服。
Pinyin: Zhè bǎ yǐ zi bǐ nà bǎ yǐ zi shū fu.
English: This chair is more comfortable than that chair. -
Chinese: 我坐在椅子上看书。
Pinyin: Wǒ zuò zài yǐ zi shàng kàn shū.
English: I sat in the chair reading a book. -
Chinese: 这些椅子多少钱一把?
Pinyin: Zhè xiē yǐ zi duō shǎo qián yì bǎ?
English: How much is each of these chairs?
Now you know how to say chair in Chinese and have all the vocabulary you need for furniture shopping, office conversations, and everyday situations. Whether you’re buying a new chair for your apartment, furnishing a hotel room, or describing furniture for your kitchen, 椅子 is the word you’ll use.
