旅館 / 旅馆
lǚguǎn
The English word hotel can be translated into Chinese as 旅館 / 旅馆 (lǚguǎn). Wiktionary also lists 賓館 / 宾馆 (bīnguǎn).
Meaning: establishment providing accommodation (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 旅館 / 旅馆 | lǚguǎn | ||
| 賓館 / 宾馆 | bīnguǎn | ||
| 旅館 / 旅馆 | lí-koán, lú-koán | Hokkien | |
| 旅社 | lú-siā, lír-siǎ, lí-siā, lír-siā | /lu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sia³³/ (Min Nan, Hokkien, Xiamen, Taipei, Sinological IPA, Magong) /lu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sia²²/ (Min Nan, Hokkien, Xiamen, Taipei, Sinological IPA, Magong) |
Hokkien |
The term is used to describe an establishment that provides accommodation.
Which one should you use?
酒店 (jiǔdiàn) is a common modern term used specifically for high-end or luxury hotels, whereas 旅館 / 旅馆 (lí-koán, lú-koán) sounds more like a traditional inn.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The formal way to say hotel in Chinese is 酒店.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form кифон (kifon) is used in the Dungan language, and the forms 旅館 / 旅馆 and 旅社 are associated with Hokkien.
How do you pronounce it?
lí-koán, lú-koán
Did you know?
- The word 酒店 (jiǔdiàn) literally translates to 'alcohol shop', a term that originally referred to establishments serving food and drink.
- The term 宾馆 (bīnguǎn) contains the character 宾 (bīn) which means 'guest' and is rooted in the ancient Chinese tradition of welcoming foreign envoys.
- The character 旅 (lǚ) in 旅館 originally referred to a military unit or a group of travelers on a journey.
Examples in context
- 我想预订一间酒店。I would like to book a hotel.
- 请帮我叫一辆出租车去酒店。Please help me call a taxi to the hotel.
- 你知道附近有什么好的旅店吗？Do you know any good hotels nearby?
- 我们在这家旅店住了三天。We stayed at this hotel for three days.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hotel” translations and entries 旅社, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
