橡皮
xiàngpí
The English word 'eraser' is translated into Chinese as 橡皮 (xiàngpí). Wiktionary also lists 橡皮擦子 (xiàngpí cāzi) and 橡皮擦 (xiàngpícā).
Meaning: thing used to erase something written or drawn (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 橡皮 | xiàngpí |
| 橡皮擦子 | xiàngpí cāzi |
| 橡皮擦 | xiàngpícā |
In Chinese, several terms can be used to refer to the tool used to erase something written or drawn. While 橡皮 is a common way to say eraser, more specific terms like 橡皮擦 are also used to describe the object.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 橡皮 literally means 'rubber' or 'elastic skin'.
Which one should you use?
橡皮 (xiàngpí) is often used on its own to mean eraser. However, 橡皮擦 (xiàngpícā) is a more precise term, literally combining 'rubber', 'erase' and 'tool'.
How do you pronounce it?
xiàngpí
Did you know?
- The characters for 橡皮 were likely inspired by 象皮, which means 'elephant skin'. Early rubber products were associated with the thick and durable skin of elephants.
- Chinese has different words for 'erasing' depending on the medium. While 橡皮 is for pencils, a different term is used for 'erasing' digital data or whiteboard ink.
- The character 子 (zi) in 橡皮擦子 is a common noun suffix used to turn many single-syllable objects into two-syllable words, often making them sound more like concrete tools.
Examples in context
- 橡皮擦掉地上就很难找到了。It's hard to find an eraser that's on the floor.This sentence shows how to use 橡皮 when discussing something lost on the floor.Tatoeba #10028095 by GlossaMatik, translation #11272810 by Aphima
- 我们将要到室外去观察大自然。因此，一支好的笔，橡皮和大概一支画笔是必需的。We'll be going outside to observe nature for this. Thus, a good pencil, eraser, and possibly a paint brush are required.This sentence lists 橡皮 as a necessary item for observing nature.Tatoeba #4844592 by pig8322, translation #4843045 by Ishao
- 请借个橡皮Can I borrow an eraser, please?
- 我的橡皮不见了。Wǒ de xiàngpí bùjiàn le.My eraser is gone.
Example conversation
Wei and Xiaowen are studying in a classroom.
- 伟 Wei晓雯，你有橡皮吗？Xiǎowén, nǐ yǒu xiàngpí ma?Xiaowen, do you have an eraser?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen有，在我的文具盒里。Yǒu, zài wǒ de wénjùhé lǐ.Yes, it's in my pencil case.
- 伟 Wei太好了，谢谢你。Tài hǎole, xièxiè nǐ.Great, thank you.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen没关系，给，拿去吧。Méiguānxì, gěi, ná qù ba.No problem, here, take it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “eraser” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 橡皮, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
