螺栓
luóshuān
The English word "bolt" is translated into Chinese as 螺栓 (luóshuān).
螺栓 is the technical and formal term used in engineering and construction contexts for a bolt.
Meaning: metal fastener (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The first character 螺 refers to a screw or a spiral shape, and the second character 栓 refers to a plug, bolt or stopper.
Which one should you use?
While 螺栓 specifically refers to a heavy-duty metal bolt, 螺丝 is the more common term for a general screw. Additionally, 螺钉 can be used to convey the general meaning of bolt.
How do you pronounce it?
luóshuān
Did you know?
- If you are describing a bolt that has stripped its threads, you would use the word 滑丝. This literally means the 'silk' of the screw has 'slipped', treating the metal thread like a delicate textile.
- The word 螺 is also used in the name of the popular 螺蛳粉 or river snail rice noodles. Both the bolt and the noodle dish share the same character because of the spiral shape of the snail.
- The character 栓 represents a wooden peg or plug. While 螺栓 is a metal part, the word's core meaning is based on the ancient practice of using wooden pins to secure joints.
Examples in context
- 请在这个螺栓上使用扳手。Please use a wrench on this bolt.
- 请注意把螺丝钉拧紧。Please make sure to tighten the bolts/screws.
- 你有螺丝刀吗？我需要拧紧这个螺丝。Do you have a screwdriver? I need to tighten this bolt/screw.
- 这个螺栓子松动了，得找个扳手把它拧紧。This bolt is loose, we need to find a wrench to tighten it.
- 这个螺栓生锈了。Zhège luóshuān shēngxiù le.This bolt is rusted.
- 我们需要一个新的螺栓。Wǒmen xūyào yīgè xīn de luóshuān.We need a new bolt.
- 请把那个螺栓拧紧。Qǐng bǎ nàge luóshuān níngjǐn.Please tighten that bolt.
Example conversation
Wei and Zihan are fixing a piece of furniture in the living room.
- 伟 Wei这个螺栓丢了。Zhège luóshuān diū le.This bolt is missing.
- 梓涵 Zihan是在桌子下面吗？Shì zài zhuōzi xiàmiàn ma?Is it under the table?
- 伟 Wei我找到了，就在这里。Wǒ zhǎodào le, jiù zài zhèlǐ.I found it, it is right here.
- 梓涵 Zihan那我们继续组装吧。Nà wǒmen jìxù zǔzhuāng ba.Then let's continue assembling it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bolt” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
