酒吧
jiǔbā
The English word 'bar' (a business licensed to sell intoxicating beverages) is translated into Chinese as 酒吧 (jiǔbā). Wiktionary also lists 酒館 / 酒馆 (jiǔguǎn) and 酒店 (jiǔdiàn).
Meaning: business licensed to sell intoxicating beverages (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 酒吧 | jiǔbā |
| 酒館 / 酒馆 | jiǔguǎn |
| 酒店 | jiǔdiàn |
Use 酒吧 when referring specifically to a nightlife venue that primarily serves alcoholic drinks like cocktails or beer. For a more specific term, you can use 鸡尾酒吧 to mean a cocktail bar.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 酒吧 is composed of 酒 (alcohol) and 巴 (a phonetic loan used for 'bar').
Which one should you use?
酒吧 is the most common and modern term for a western-style bar. In contrast, 酒館 or 酒馆 has a more traditional or old-fashioned connotation, often used for historical settings or smaller, rustic establishments, such as a tavern or wine house.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
jiǔbā
Did you know?
- While 酒吧 refers to a western-style bar, the term 酒店 (jiǔdiàn) is also used to mean a high-end bar or restaurant, but it is the exact same word used for a 'hotel'.
- In modern China, the concept of a 'bar' is often split between 酒吧 and 夜店 ('nightclub'). While both sell alcohol, a 酒吧 is generally for chatting and drinking, whereas a 夜店 is for dancing and loud music.
- If you are looking for a more formal or upscale establishment, you might see the word 酒廊 (jiǔláng) used, which literally translates to 'alcohol corridor'.
Examples in context
- 你去過西班牙的酒吧嗎？Have you ever gone to a Spanish bar?This sentence is useful for asking about visiting a Spanish bar with 酒吧.Tatoeba #6120158 by xjjAstrus, translation #6138566 by Sethlang
- 你那么干会被人踢出酒吧的。If you did that, they'd kick you out of the bar.This sentence is useful for describing being kicked out of a bar with 酒吧.Tatoeba #13894766 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #4663077 by CK
- 如果你唱歌了，他们就会把你踢出酒吧。If you sang, they'd kick you out of the bar.Tatoeba #8746396 by cxpadonis, translation #7127281 by CM
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Junjie and Jiayi are deciding where to spend their Friday night.
- 俊杰 Junjie這附近有不錯的酒吧嗎？Zhè fùjìn yǒu bùcuò de jiǔbā ma?Is there a good bar near here?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我知道一家很熱鬧的酒吧。Wǒ zhīdào yī jiā hěn rènào de jiǔbā.I know a very lively bar.
- 俊杰 Junjie那我們今晚去那裡吧。Nà wǒmen jīnwǎn qù nàlǐ ba.Then let's go there tonight.
- 佳怡 Jiayi好啊，我也想去喝一杯。Hǎo a, wǒ yě xiǎng qù hē yī bēi.Sure, I want to go have a drink too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bar” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
