避孕套
bìyùntào
The English word "condom" is translated into Chinese as 避孕套 (bìyùntào). Wiktionary also lists 安全套 (ānquántào) and 保險套 / 保险套 (bǎoxiǎntào).
Meaning: flexible sleeve worn on the penis (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 避孕套 | bìyùntào | |
| 安全套 | ānquántào | |
| 保險套 / 保险套 | bǎoxiǎntào | |
| 衛生套 / 卫生套 | wèishēngtào | |
| 陰莖套 / 阴茎套 | yīnjīngtào | |
| 如意套 | rúyìtào | |
| 套兒 / 套儿 | tàor | colloquial |
| 套套 | tàotao | colloquial |
The word refers to a flexible sleeve worn on the penis.
What does it mean word for word?
避孕套 (bìyùntào) is composed of 避孕 (to avoid pregnancy) and 套 (sleeve/cover). 安全套 (ānquántào) is composed of 安全 (safety) and 套 (sleeve/cover).
Which one should you use?
避孕套 (bìyùntào) specifically emphasizes the prevention of pregnancy, whereas 安全套 (ānquántào) emphasizes safety (including STI protection).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
安全套 is a formal term. 避孕套 is also a formal term. In casual conversation, the reduplicated form 套套 (tàotao) is a common colloquial way to refer to condoms and 套兒 or 套儿 (tàor) is also used colloquially.
Is it said differently in some regions?
避孕套 (bìyùntào) is the most common term used in Mainland China. 保險套 or 保险套 (bǎoxiǎntào) is the standard term used in Taiwan.
How do you pronounce it?
bìyùntào
Did you know?
- The word 如意套 (rúyìtào) is a more obscure, poetic way to refer to such items, where 如意 means 'as one wishes'.
- In Taiwan, the term 保險套 (bǎoxiǎntào) literally translates to 'insurance sleeve'. This frames the use of a condom as a form of financial or risk-based insurance for one's health.
- Chinese often uses the character 套 (tào) as a verb meaning 'to trick' or 'to fish for information' (as in 套話). This is an entirely different meaning from the noun used in 避孕套.
Examples in context
- 你用了避孕套嗎？Did you use a condom?This sentence is useful for asking if someone used a 避孕套.Tatoeba #9054547 by xjjAstrus, translation #1879686 by Spamster
- 她害羞地笑着拿出了避孕套。Giggling with embarrassment, she held out the condom.This sentence describes someone holding out a 避孕套.Tatoeba #8692919 by crescat, translation #327963 by jakov
- 對不起，但是沒有避孕套的話是絕對不行的。Sorry, but there's no way it's happening without a condom.This sentence expresses that certain conditions are not possible without a 避孕套.Tatoeba #9054553 by xjjAstrus, translation #12023896 by sundown
- 医生建议每次进行性行为时都应该使用安全套 (ān quán tào).Doctors recommend using condoms every time you engage in sexual activity.
- 避孕套是性保健的重要组成部分 (bì yùn tào shì xìng bǎo jiàn de zhòng yào zǔ chéng bù fen).Condoms are an important component of sexual health.
- 买了套套就能放心享受性爱 (mǎi le tào tào jiù néng fàng xīn xiǎng shòu xìng ài).With condoms, you can enjoy sexual intercourse with peace of mind.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is talking about safety and protection before intimacy.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我们应该用避孕套。Wǒmen yīnggāi yòng bìyùntào.We should use a condom.
- 雨婷 Yuting好的，你有避孕套吗？Hǎo de, nǐ yǒu bìyùntào ma?Okay, do you have a condom?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我有，就在我的抽屉里。Wǒ yǒu, jiù zài wǒ de chōuti lǐ.I do, it's in my drawer.
- 雨婷 Yuting太好了，安全最重要。Tài hǎo le, ānquán zuì zhòngyào.Great, safety is the most important thing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “condom” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
